Mathematical Modelling of Neuroimmunological Interactions

In general, the healthy state of the immune system is determined by the balance between two different cell types: Th1 (type one of helper CD4+ T cells) and Th2 (type two of helper CD4+ T cells). If the dominant cell and the related molecules turn into to the Th1-type, then the organism goes into the diseased state. The aim of this study is to analyze and mathematically model the neuroimmunological interactions based on the findings from the biology of multiple sclerosis (a neuroimmunological disorder). Interactions between the cells and related molecules are modeled by using a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations in MATLAB. First, the existence of two different steady states (i.e. health and disease) is shown. Then, the effects of the time course of a hypothetical treatment are studied. Effects of infection-induced neuroimmunological diseases and mutations related to cell apoptosis or aging can also be simulated by the mathematical model. The presented model is useful for predicting complex neuroimmunological interactions and for formulating experimental hypotheses.