Mathematical models of dividing cell populations: Application to CFSE data

Abstract

Flow cytometric analysis using intracellular dyes such as CFSE is a powerful experimental tool which can be used in conjunction with mathematical modeling to quantify the dynamic behavior of a population of lymphocytes. In this survey we begin by providing an overview of the mathematically relevant aspects of the data collection procedure. We then present an overview of the large body of mathematical models, along with their assumptions and uses, which have been proposed to describe the dynamics of proliferating cell populations. While much of this body of work has been aimed at modeling the generation structure (cells per generation) of the proliferating population, several recent models have considered the more fundamental task of modeling CFSE histogram data directly. Such models are analyzed and recent results are discussed. Finally, directions for future research are suggested. © EDP Sciences, 2012.