Simulations of the Vascular Network Growth Process for Studying Placenta Structure and Function Associated with Autism

Placenta chorionic surface vascular networks differ in individuals at-risk for autism compared to controls in terms of longer, straighter, thicker vessels; less branching; smaller changes in flow directions; and better coverage to the placental boundary. What mechanism(s) could drive these differences and how these mechanisms would impact blood transport has not been widely investigated. We used a Monte-Carlo simulation to mimic three mechanisms for controlling vascular growth: vessels grow faster and longer, terminate more frequently before branching, and flow directions are more tightly controlled in the at-risk simulations. For each mechanism, we analyzed simulated vascular networks based on structural properties and blood flow, assuming Poiseuille’s law and distensible vessels. Our simulations showed that none of these mechanisms alone could reproduce all structural properties of vascular networks in placentas identified as at-risk for autism. Terminating vessels more frequently or growing longer vessels could each reproduce longer vessels and less branching, but not greater boundary coverage or smaller changes in flow directions. As for their influence on blood flow, longer vessels and less branching have large, opposing effects on network function. Networks with longer vessels are less efficient in terms of slower flow rates and higher total network volume; in contrast, networks with less branching are more efficient. Our results suggest either these mechanisms work together to drive observed differences in vascular networks of at-risk individuals by balancing their impacts on network function; or another mechanism not considered here might drive these differences.