We carry out computational inverse problem investigations to determine the importance of allowing for unequal label allocation to daughter cells during mitosis. Parameter estimations are performed using previously developed label-structured partial differential equation models that utilize “cytons” to account for variability in times between cell divisions as well as times until cell death. These models are augmented to allow for asymmetric cell divisions through inclusion of an additional model parameter. We employ well-known model comparison tests to analyze CFSE-based flow cytometry data with respect to the importance of asymmetric division during proliferation of human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

This research was supported in part (HTB) by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under grant number AFOSR FA9550-12-1-0188, and in part (DFK) by the National Science Foundation under Research Training Grant (RTG) DMS-0636590. CP, JA and AM were supported by grant SAF2010-21336 from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.