Regulation of Th1/Th2 cells in asthma development: A mathematical model

Abstract

Airway exposure levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) determine type I versus type IIhelper T cell induced experimental asthma. While high LPS levels induce Th1-dominantresponses, low LPS levels derive Th2 cell inducedasthma. The present paper develops a mathematical model of asthma development whichfocuses on the relative balance of Th1 and Th2 cell induced asthma. In the present workwe representthe complex network of interactions between cells and molecules by a mathematical model.The model describes the behaviors of cells (Th0, Th1, Th2 and macrophages)and regulatory molecules (IFN-$\gamma$, IL-4, IL-12, TNF-α) in response tohigh, intermediate, and low levels of LPS.The simulations show howvariations in the levels of injected LPSaffect the development ofTh1 or Th2 cell responses through differential cytokine induction.The model also predicts the coexistence ofthese two types of responseunder certain biochemical and biomechanical conditions in the microenvironment.

Keywords

• th1/th2 cells
• lps
• asthma
• microenvironment
• inflammation.