Mathematical modeling reveals the biological program regulating lymphopenia-induced proliferation

Yates, A. , Saini, M., Mathiot, A. and Seddon, B. (2008) Mathematical modeling reveals the biological program regulating lymphopenia-induced proliferation. Journal of Immunology, 180(3), pp. 1414-1422. (doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.3.1414)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.180.3.1414

Abstract

Recognition of peptide-MHC by the TCR induces T lymphocytes to undergo cell division. Although recognition of foreign peptide induces a program of cellular division and differentiation by responding T cells, stimulation by self-peptide MHC complexes in lymphopenic conditions induces a slower burst of divisions that may or may not be accompanied by effector differentiation. Although both responses are triggered by signals from the TCR, it is not known whether they represent distinct programs of cell cycle control. In this study, we use a mathematical modeling approach to analyze the proliferative response of TCR transgenic F5 T cells to lymphopenia. We tested two fundamentally different models of cell division: one in which T cells are triggered into an “autopilot” deterministic burst of divisions, a model successfully used elsewhere to describe T cell responses to cognate Ag, and a second contrasting model in which cells undergo independent single stochastic divisions. Whereas the autopilot model provided a very poor description of the F5 T cell responses to lymphopenia, the model of single stochastic divisions fitted the experimental data remarkably closely. Furthermore, this model proved robust because specific predictions of cellular behavior made by this model concerning the onset, rate, and nature of division were successfully validated experimentally. Our results suggest cell division induced by lymphopenia involves a process of single stochastic divisions, which is best suited to a homeostatic rather than differentiation role.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Yates, Professor Andrew
Authors: Yates, A., Saini, M., Mathiot, A., and Seddon, B.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Journal of Immunology
Journal Abbr.:J. Immunol.
Publisher:American Association of Immunologists
ISSN:0022-1767
ISSN (Online):1550-6606
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