Affiliations: Institute of Environmental Systems Research,
University of Osnabrück, D-49069 Osnabrück, Germany URL:
http://www.usf.uni-osnabrueck.de/~sabine | Center for High Performance Computing (ZHR), Dresden
University of Technology, D-01062 Dresden, Germany Tel.: +49(0)351-463-31943;
Fax: +49(0)351-463-37773; E-mail: [email protected] URL:
http://www.tu-dresden.de/zhr/Personen/deutsch.html
Note: [] Corresponding author
Abstract: Pattern formation in multicellular spheroids is addressed with a
hybrid lattice-gas cellular automaton model. Multicellular spheroids serve as
experimental model system for the study of avascular tumor growth. Typically,
multicellular spheroids consist of a necrotic core surrounded by rings of
quiescent and proliferating tumor cells, respectively. Furthermore, after an
initial exponential growth phase further spheroid growth is significantly
slowed down even if further nutrient is supplied. The cellular automaton model
explicitly takes into account mitosis, apoptosis and necrosis as well as
nutrient consumption and a diffusible signal that is emitted by cells becoming
necrotic. All cells follow identical interaction rules. The necrotic signal
induces a chemotactic migration of tumor cells towards maximal signal
concentrations. Starting from a small number of tumor cells automaton
simulations exhibit the self-organized formation of a layered structure
consisting of a necrotic core, a ring of quiescent tumor cells and a thin outer
ring of proliferating tumor cells.
