A simulation model for stem cells differentiation into specialized cells of non-connective tissues.

A novel mathematical model to simulate stem cells differentiation into specialized cells of non-connective tissues is proposed. The model is based upon material balances for growth factors coupled with a mass-structured population balance describing cell growth, proliferation and differentiation. The proposed model is written in a general form and it may be used to simulate a generic cell differentiation pathway during in vitro cultivation when specific growth factors are used. Literature experimental data concerning the differentiation of central nervous stem cells into astrocytes are successfully compared with model results, thus demonstrating the validity of the proposed model as well as its predictive capability. Finally, sensitivity analysis of model parameters is also performed in order to clarify what mechanisms most strongly influence differentiation and cell types distribution.