Chapter 5 - Modeling Cystic Fibrosis and Mucociliary Clearance

Abstract

This chapter considers the investigation of airway clearance efficiency and dysfunction using rheological measurements, modeling and simulations of mucus flows. The work is mainly dedicated to the respiratory epithelium dysfunction subsequently to the consumption of cilia-inhibiting drugs (e.g. nicotine) or viral and/or bacterial infections, and especially focused on cystic fibrosis, although many respiratory diseases are associated with an altered mucus transport. The work presented here is a review based, amongst others, on Chatelin et al. (2015, 2016), Chatelin and Poncet (2013, 2014, 2016), Chatelin (2013).