A B-Cell-Driven Model of Antibody Response in an Immunocompromised System
Description
There are many ways in which the body responds to infections. The collective response of the innate and adaptive immune responses is called the immune response. The adaptive response—which controls infections and prevents recurring disease—is more sophisticated and requires greater study to understand. One of the main adaptive responses is the antibody response that can bind to virions (virus particles) and prevents them from infecting cells. Most studies of infection are done based on a single infectious agent and how it interacts with the immune system. In many cases, there are multiple infections that must be repelled by the immune system at any given time.
In this study, Abdulhafid mathematically modeled the dynamics of antibody response in an immunocompromised system. He studied how immunocompromised patients, such as pregnant women and pediatrics perinatally infected with HIV, will respond to new infections. In particular, Abdulhafid studied an infection of swine influenza (H1N1) on the system. The model was used to explore the different ways in which the mechanisms of antibody response are affected by different levels of immune suppression. These states of immune suppression were compared with the normal, or immunocompetent, state to determine the disparity in response. The model’s validity was tested with a data set from a cohort of immunocompromised patients.
Date of Event
April 20, 2012 12 - 1:00 PM
Location
Mailman-Hollywood Building, Room 310, 3301 College Ave., Fort Lauderdale (main campus)
NSU News Release Link
http://nsunews.nova.edu/student-present-research-immune-response-math-colloquium-talk-apr-20/
A B-Cell-Driven Model of Antibody Response in an Immunocompromised System
Mailman-Hollywood Building, Room 310, 3301 College Ave., Fort Lauderdale (main campus)
There are many ways in which the body responds to infections. The collective response of the innate and adaptive immune responses is called the immune response. The adaptive response—which controls infections and prevents recurring disease—is more sophisticated and requires greater study to understand. One of the main adaptive responses is the antibody response that can bind to virions (virus particles) and prevents them from infecting cells. Most studies of infection are done based on a single infectious agent and how it interacts with the immune system. In many cases, there are multiple infections that must be repelled by the immune system at any given time.
In this study, Abdulhafid mathematically modeled the dynamics of antibody response in an immunocompromised system. He studied how immunocompromised patients, such as pregnant women and pediatrics perinatally infected with HIV, will respond to new infections. In particular, Abdulhafid studied an infection of swine influenza (H1N1) on the system. The model was used to explore the different ways in which the mechanisms of antibody response are affected by different levels of immune suppression. These states of immune suppression were compared with the normal, or immunocompetent, state to determine the disparity in response. The model’s validity was tested with a data set from a cohort of immunocompromised patients.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/mathematics_colloquium/ay_2011-2012/events/1
Presenter Bio
Abdulhafid is an undergraduate student and conducted the research with faculty adviser Evan Haskell, Ph.D., associate professor in the department of Biology at Nova Southeastern University.