Retrieving infinite numbers of patterns in a spin-glass model of immune networks

The similarity between neural and (adaptive) immune networks has been known for decades, but so far we did not understand the mechanism that allows the immune system, unlike associative neural networks, to recall and execute a large number of memorized defense strategies in parallel. The explanation...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Europhysics letters 2017-01, Vol.117 (2), p.28003-28003
Main Authors: Agliari, E., Annibale, A., Barra, A., Coolen, A. C. C., Tantari, D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
87.18.-h
87.18.Sn
87.19.xw
Adaptive systems
Graph theory
Homeostasis
Immune system
Immune systems
Lymphocytes
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical models
Network topologies
Networks
Neural networks
Neurons
Percolation
Spin glasses
Switching theory
Topology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The similarity between neural and (adaptive) immune networks has been known for decades, but so far we did not understand the mechanism that allows the immune system, unlike associative neural networks, to recall and execute a large number of memorized defense strategies in parallel. The explanation turns out to lie in the network topology. Neurons interact typically with a large number of other neurons, whereas interactions among lymphocytes in immune networks are very specific, and described by graphs with finite connectivity. In this paper we use replica techniques to solve a statistical mechanical immune network model with "coordinator branches" (T-cells) and "effector branches" (B-cells), and show how the finite connectivity enables the coordinators to manage an extensive number of effectors simultaneously, even above the percolation threshold (where clonal cross-talk is not negligible). A consequence of its underlying topological sparsity is that the adaptive immune system exhibits only weak ergodicity breaking, so that also spontaneous switch-like effects as bi-stabilities are present: the latter may play a significant role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis.
ISSN:0295-5075
1286-4854
DOI:10.1209/0295-5075/117/28003