A low dimensional dynamical model of the initial pulmonary innate response to infection

• Published in: Mathematical biosciences 2012-02, Vol.235 (2), p.189-200
• Main Authors: Young, Todd R., Buckalew, Richard, May, Addison K., Boczko, Erik M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alveoli; Animals; Computer Simulation; Immunity, Innate - immunology; Lung Diseases - immunology; Lung Diseases - microbiology; Mice; Models, Immunological; Phenomenological modeling of immunity; Pulmonary innate immunity; Ventilator associated pneumonia
• ISSN: 0025-5564; 1879-3134
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2011.12.004

► A system of two differential equations is derived that models aspects of innate immunity specific to the lungs. ► The system incorporates both immediate and quickly activated components. ► The system predicts a dynamic threshold between infections eradicated and those not controlled by the innate system. ► The system accurately predicts experimental dynamics in a Murine model. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the onset and progression of pulmonary infections we present and analyze a low dimensional, phenomenological model of infection and the innate immune response in the lungs. Because pulmonary innate immunity has features unique to itself, general mathematical models of the immune system may not be appropriate. The differential equations model that we propose is based on current knowledge of the biology of pulmonary innate immunity and accurately reproduces known features of the initial phase of the dynamics of pulmonary innate system as exhibited in recent experiments. Further, we propose to use the model as a starting point for interrogation with clinical data from a new noninvasive technique for sampling alveolar lining fluid.