[SS01] Biological transport network: form and function

[SS01-03] Flow-Driven Remodeling: The Emergence of Hierarchical Vascular Networks Through Shear Stress Adaptation

*Hiroshi Kori¹, Kei Sugihara² (1. The University of Tokyo (Japan), 2. Kyushu University (Japan))

Keywords:

vascular network formation,remodeling,mathematical approach,power law

It is known that remodeling plays an important role in the vascular network formation during development. Remodeling refers to the process where, after the basic vascular network structure is created, the thickness of each blood vessel is readjusted according to the blood flow through it, creating a hierarchical structure of the vascular network. It is also known that the response to flow is based on the shear stress sensed by the vessel walls. In this talk, we will introduce a study that reproduced the vascular network of the retina using a mathematical model that succinctly describes such remodeling assumptions. In particular, we will focus on the structure of the vascular network in and around the foveal avascular zone of the retina. Additionally, the vascular network reproduced by this model follows a power-law distribution in the thickness of each blood vessel. We will discuss the robustness and biological function of such a distribution.