Recently hybrid models of the endothelial cell were created by using the bendo-tensegrity concept to complete the continuum parts of the cell with an adequate cytoskeleton model. The proposed model of endothelial cell includes a network of actin filaments (AFs) as tension supporting cables and microtubules (MTs) as bended beams supporting primarily compression. It is created by adopting the geometrical shape of a short hexagonal prism with its 12 vertices that results in a nearly isotropic

more »

... iour of the model without a preferred orientation. To achieve the synergistic effect of cytoskeletal components, the elements representing AFs, MTs, and Intermediate filaments (IFs) are sharing the same end nodes (representing focal adhesions) with the cell membrane (CM). The AFs are prestressed (i.e. stressed without application of external load), which is essential for the cell shape stability, while the IFs are wavy, thus not bearing load until straightened. The objective is to create different FE models of endothelial cells which will be used to simulate mechanical responses of the cell under different loading conditions. Endothelial cell dysfunction has been linked to atherosclerosis through their response to mechanical loads, especially hemodynamic forces.