A mathematical model of mast cell response to acupuncture needling

We introduce a new model of mast cell response to acupuncture needling based on the Keller-Segel model for chemotaxis. The needle manipulation induces the release of a chemoattractant by the mast cells. We show, in a simplified case, that blow-up of the solution occurs in finite time for large initial data concentrated around the acupoint. In those conditions, blow-up is the result of aggregation of cells and could indicate the efficiency of the acupuncture manipulation of the needle at one acupoint. (C) 2013 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.