Ligand trapping in epithelial layers and cell cultures

We analyze a stochastic model that describes receptor-mediated ligand trapping in epithelial layers and cell culture assays. In both cases, the problem is reduced to diffusion of a Brownian particle between the partially absorbing and reflective surfaces. We derive an analytical expression for the spatial distribution of the trapping points and identify the domains of applicability of the two limiting regimes. We conclude that a thin layer approximation is applicable for ligand trapping in epithelial layers while a typical cell culture experiment is appropriately described within an infinite layer approximation. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.