A mathematical model in immunoregulation where the spleen has a pivotal role

A simple mathematical model is introduced to investigate collaborative interactions between thymus-derived T and bursal-influenced B lymphocytes in the presence of specific antigen, intravenously presented. Such encounters are assumed to lead to humoral antibody response, and antigen interacting to produce effector T cells in the absence of B cells is assumed to produce cell mediated immunity. The model is used further to consider (i) the resultant distribution of effector T cells, (ii) the effect of splenectomy on collaborative T-B cell interactions, and (iii) recent data relating to portal cirrhosis, sickle cell anemia, malignant lymphomas, and diseases involving an impaired thymic function. It is concluded that for soluble antigen, such T-B cell encounters normally predominate in the spleen, as compared with the lymph nodes. Developing principles of immunoregulation may be applied to the theoretical basis of the model.