Constraint-Based Network Model Of Pathogen-Immune System Interactions

Main Category: Immune System / Vaccines
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 22 Oct 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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The immune response features a complex dynamic interplay among various cell types and signaling pathways. In this paper, we develop a network-based piecewise linear dynamic model of the interactions among the respiratory pathogen Bordetella bronchiseptica and the immune response of a mammalian host.

The model incorporates the existing quantitative experimental information as qualitative inequalities. We gain insight into the local and systemic dynamics of various immune components, the timescales of immune processes, the activity thresholds of components, and predict novel regulatory interactions.

Some of these predictions are supported by the literature, and many can serve as targets of future experiments.

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

Journal of the Royal Society Interface is the Society's cross-disciplinary publication promoting research at the interface between the physical and life sciences. It offers rapidity, visibility and high-quality peer review and is ranked fifth in JCR's multidisciplinary category. The journal also incorporates Interface Focus, a peer-reviewed, themed supplement, each issue of which concentrates on a specific cross-disciplinary subject.

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