Allometric scaling in-vitro

Sci Rep. 2017 Feb 7:7:42113. doi: 10.1038/srep42113.

Abstract

About two decades ago, West and coworkers established a model which predicts that metabolic rate follows a three quarter power relationship with the mass of an organism, based on the premise that tissues are supplied nutrients through a fractal distribution network. Quarter power scaling is widely considered a universal law of biology and it is generally accepted that were in-vitro cultures to obey allometric metabolic scaling, they would have more predictive potential and could, for instance, provide a viable substitute for animals in research. This paper outlines a theoretical and computational framework for establishing quarter power scaling in three-dimensional spherical constructs in-vitro, starting where fractal distribution ends. Allometric scaling in non-vascular spherical tissue constructs was assessed using models of Michaelis Menten oxygen consumption and diffusion. The models demonstrate that physiological scaling is maintained when about 5 to 60% of the construct is exposed to oxygen concentrations less than the Michaelis Menten constant, with a significant concentration gradient in the sphere. The results have important implications for the design of downscaled in-vitro systems with physiological relevance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Count
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology*
  • Eukaryotic Cells / cytology
  • Eukaryotic Cells / metabolism*
  • Fractals
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Oxygen Consumption / physiology*
  • Spheroids, Cellular / cytology
  • Spheroids, Cellular / metabolism*