Shape space analysis of immune networks

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the shape space analysis of immune networks. The basic idea of the shape space approach is to characterize the cells and molecules of the immune system by a generalized shape variable x. The dimension of the shape space may be quite high, for generalized shape not only includes the three-dimensional shape of molecules but also all other properties such as charge, that affect the binding of one molecule to another. In any case, the concentration of each cell or molecule of shape x can then be determined by an integrodifferential equation that includes information about the interactions of molecules of different shapes. There is no universal agreement that active suppression, especially through suppressor T cells, plays an important role in the normal immune system. One would expect the immune system to explode if only purely activating factors can be triggered by antigen. A specific commitment is made to a mechanism by which a counterweight to activation is generated.