Experimental analysis and modelling of in vitro HUVECs proliferation in the presence of various types of drugs.

Objectives: This study focuses on experimental analysis and corresponding mathematical simulation of in vitro HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) proliferation in the presence of various types of drugs. Materials and methods: HUVECs, once seeded in Petri dishes, were expanded to confluence. Temporal profiles of total count obtained by classic haemocytometry and cell size distribution measured using an electronic Coulter counter, are quantitatively simulated by a suitable model based on the population balance approach. Influence of drugs on cell proliferation is also properly simulated by accounting for suitable kinetic equations. Results and discussion: The models' parameters have been determined by comparison with experimental data related to cell population expansion and cell size distribution in the absence of drugs. Inhibition constant for each type of drug has been estimated by comparing the experimental data with model results concerning temporal profiles of total cell count. The reliability of the model and its predictive capability have been tested by simulating cell size distribution for experiments performed in the presence of drugs. The proposed model will be useful in interpreting effects of selected drugs on expansion of readily available human cells.