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Adaptive cellular interactions in the immune system: the tunable activation threshold and the significance of subthreshold responses

Authors :
Grossman, Zvi
Paul, William E.
Source :
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States. Nov 1, 1992, Vol. 89 Issue 21, p10365, 5 p.
Publication Year :
1992

Abstract

Several questions regarding the physiological rules of immunity remain unanswered, resulting in limited progress in autoimmune diseases, transplantation tolerance, allergy and chronicinfectious diseases. To provide an explanation for the plasticity of the immunesystem, it is proposed that lymphocytes possess the ability to tune and update their responsiveness to recurrent signals. In this model, suprathreshold interactions represent processes such as cellular anergy, while subthreshold interactions represent functions such as immunological memory and control of infections.

Details

ISSN :
00278424
Volume :
89
Issue :
21
Database :
Gale General OneFile
Journal :
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsgcl.13856532