Understanding Original Antigenic Sin in Influenza with a Dynamical System
Author Information
Author(s): Keyao Pan
Primary Institution: Rice University
Hypothesis
Can a deterministic dynamical model with a small number of state variables simulate the phenomenon of original antigenic sin?
Conclusion
The study successfully developed a deterministic model that reproduces the phenomenon of original antigenic sin in influenza.
Supporting Evidence
- The model reproduces the phenomenon of original antigenic sin and describes how competition between different types of B cells compromises the immune response.
- Original antigenic sin occurs when the antigenic distance between the previous and current virus strains is intermediate.
- The study provides a deterministic explanation of original antigenic sin that agrees with observed data.
Takeaway
When you get a vaccine, your body remembers how to fight the virus, but sometimes it can get confused and not fight as well if the virus changes a little bit.
Methodology
The study used a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to model the interaction among B cells, virus particles, and epithelial cells.
Limitations
The model does not account for the loss of antibodies due to virus binding and has limitations in the quality and quantity of available experimental data.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website