1. ¹Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
2. ²Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
3. ³School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Correspondence: Dr G Bogle, Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92-019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. E-mail: g.bogle@auckland.ac.nz

Received 23 April 2008; Revised 13 July 2008; Accepted 13 July 2008; Published online 19 August 2008.

Abstract

Agent-based simulation modelling of T-cell trafficking, activation and proliferation in the lymph node paracortex requires a model for cell motility. Such a model must be able to reproduce the observed random-walk behaviour of T cells, while accommodating large numbers of tightly packed cells, and must be computationally efficient. We report the development of a motility model, based on a three-dimensional lattice geometry, that meets these objectives. Cells make discrete jumps between neighbouring lattice sites in directions that are randomly determined from specified discrete probability distributions, which are defined by a small number of parameters. It is shown that the main characteristics of the random motion of T cells as typically observed in vivo can be reproduced by suitable specification of model parameters. The model is computationally highly efficient and provides a suitable engine for a model capable of simulating the full T-cell population of the paracortex.