Fluid–structure interaction and flow sensing of primary cilia in oscillating fluid flows

Abstract

This study systematically investigates the interaction between an oscillating flow and primary cilia using numerical simulations. The primary cilia are modeled as elastic filaments with rotatable basal ends to mimic real ciliary deflections. How some governing parameters [i.e., the peak Reynolds number (Repeak), Womersley number (Wo), cilium length (L*), and streamwise spacing interval (Ld*)] regulate fluid–cilia interaction is explored. Our results indicate that within a certain range, both the span of deflection (SD) and the maximal curvature increase with the increase in Repeak, L*, and Ld*, while they decrease as the Wo increases. Compared with other parameters, Ld* affects ciliary deflection less significantly and its impact becomes nearly negligible when the cilia are separated over twice their length. Three typical stretch states are captured. For primary cilia with a short or medium length, an increase in the SD is accompanied by a greater propagation distance of the location of the maximal tensile stress (LMTS). However, this is not the case for long cilia that protrude into 1/3 of the lumen, as the arising third stretch state may greatly suppress the LMTS propagation. Our study further confirms the role of primary cilia in decreasing the wall shear stress (WSS) and altering its oscillating feature. The WSS decrease is more significant for cilia undergoing a larger SD and/or when Ld* is reduced. For a constant Ld*, a larger SD corresponds to a more uneven oscillatory shear index distribution, and the affected (i.e., less oscillatory) region appears to greatly depend on Ld*.