| Schlemm's canal endothelial (SCE) cells may play a role in generating resistance to aqueous humour drainage and the elevated intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma. SCE cells form pressure-sensitive structures, called giant vacuoles (GVs). The objective of this study was to characterize the biomechanical properties of SCE cells using finite element (FE) modelling to recreate the formation of a GV under assumed in vivo conditions. A three-dimensional model of a SCE cell was created based on measured SCE cell dimensions. Material properties were selected from measurements on other endothelial cell types. Computed GV shapes and dimensions were compared to experimental measurements. GV size agreed well with experimental measurements, indicating that the elastic modulus of a SCE cell is comparable to values reported for other endothelial cell types. However, incorporation of active cellular remodelling and/or viscoelastic behaviour may be required for the model to match the detailed shape of experimentally observed GVs. |
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