Figure 14
Effect of initial Pseudomonas agent population on simulated host injury. Selected frames from the model interface during simulation of phosphate depletion depict Pseudomonas agents (red pentagons) and tight junctions (purple background), with black background indicating severe barrier disruption. Upper Row of Screenshots: An initial Pseudomonas agent population of 100 agents produced rapid and severe barrier disruption within 12 hours of phosphate depletion and near complete at 36 hours. We considered this to a disproportionally lethal response and non-realistic calibration behavior. Second Row of Screenshots: An initial population of 10 Pseudomonas agents produced moderate injury after 48 hours of phosphate depletion. These dynamics appeared to meet the standard of face validity with respect to the clinically relevant situation, and provided an enhanced ability to identify the properties of the system's tipping point. Graph: These graph demonstrates the relative effect on commensal bacteria and GEC tight junctions at N0 = 100 and 10 respectively.