Abstract
The network theory of the immune response proposed by Jerne has stimulated considerable interest, and a large body of evidence supporting this theory has been produced. However, the structure and function of the immune network have not been precisely defined. In this paper we develop several criteria to compare alternative systems on the basis of function and then examine mathematically the functional significance of two interactions involving suppressor regulation of effector lymphocytes in normal immune responses. The interactions examined in detail are suppressor regulation of the production of effector lymphocytes and suppressor regulation of the clearance of effector lymphocytes. The approach is one that has been used previously to predict and characterize function and design in biochemical and genetic control systems. The results of our analysis suggest that an immune system with suppressor regulation of the production of effector lymphocytes is equal or superior to a system without this form of regulation on the basis of all of the criteria examined in this study. Also, a system with regulation of the clearance of effector lymphocytes can be equal or superior to a system without this form of regulation on the basis of six criteria, but it is inferior to such a system on the basis of one criterion. Furthermore, a system with regulation of both production and clearance of effector lymphocytes is equal or superior to a system without regulation of production on the basis of all of the criteria and can be equal or superior to a system without regulation of clearance on the basis of six criteria, but it is inferior to such a system on the basis of one criterion. Similar conclusions hold for the comparison of systems in which regulation is exerted upon the production or clearance of effector molecules, such as antibodies or free radicals.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2100-2116 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Journal of Immunology |
| Volume | 134 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - 1985 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
Cite this
Network regulation of the immune response : Alternative control points for suppressor modulation of effector lymphocytes. / Irvine, D. H.; Savageau, M. A.
In: Journal of Immunology, Vol. 134, No. 4, 1985, p. 2100-2116.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Network regulation of the immune response
T2 - Alternative control points for suppressor modulation of effector lymphocytes
AU - Irvine, D. H.
AU - Savageau, M. A.
PY - 1985
Y1 - 1985
N2 - The network theory of the immune response proposed by Jerne has stimulated considerable interest, and a large body of evidence supporting this theory has been produced. However, the structure and function of the immune network have not been precisely defined. In this paper we develop several criteria to compare alternative systems on the basis of function and then examine mathematically the functional significance of two interactions involving suppressor regulation of effector lymphocytes in normal immune responses. The interactions examined in detail are suppressor regulation of the production of effector lymphocytes and suppressor regulation of the clearance of effector lymphocytes. The approach is one that has been used previously to predict and characterize function and design in biochemical and genetic control systems. The results of our analysis suggest that an immune system with suppressor regulation of the production of effector lymphocytes is equal or superior to a system without this form of regulation on the basis of all of the criteria examined in this study. Also, a system with regulation of the clearance of effector lymphocytes can be equal or superior to a system without this form of regulation on the basis of six criteria, but it is inferior to such a system on the basis of one criterion. Furthermore, a system with regulation of both production and clearance of effector lymphocytes is equal or superior to a system without regulation of production on the basis of all of the criteria and can be equal or superior to a system without regulation of clearance on the basis of six criteria, but it is inferior to such a system on the basis of one criterion. Similar conclusions hold for the comparison of systems in which regulation is exerted upon the production or clearance of effector molecules, such as antibodies or free radicals.
AB - The network theory of the immune response proposed by Jerne has stimulated considerable interest, and a large body of evidence supporting this theory has been produced. However, the structure and function of the immune network have not been precisely defined. In this paper we develop several criteria to compare alternative systems on the basis of function and then examine mathematically the functional significance of two interactions involving suppressor regulation of effector lymphocytes in normal immune responses. The interactions examined in detail are suppressor regulation of the production of effector lymphocytes and suppressor regulation of the clearance of effector lymphocytes. The approach is one that has been used previously to predict and characterize function and design in biochemical and genetic control systems. The results of our analysis suggest that an immune system with suppressor regulation of the production of effector lymphocytes is equal or superior to a system without this form of regulation on the basis of all of the criteria examined in this study. Also, a system with regulation of the clearance of effector lymphocytes can be equal or superior to a system without this form of regulation on the basis of six criteria, but it is inferior to such a system on the basis of one criterion. Furthermore, a system with regulation of both production and clearance of effector lymphocytes is equal or superior to a system without regulation of production on the basis of all of the criteria and can be equal or superior to a system without regulation of clearance on the basis of six criteria, but it is inferior to such a system on the basis of one criterion. Similar conclusions hold for the comparison of systems in which regulation is exerted upon the production or clearance of effector molecules, such as antibodies or free radicals.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0021925233&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 2857745
AN - SCOPUS:0021925233
VL - 134
SP - 2100
EP - 2116
JO - Journal of Immunology
JF - Journal of Immunology
SN - 0022-1767
IS - 4
ER -