Feed-forward and Feedback Mechanisms in a Dynamic Model of Human T Cell Development and Regulation

Abstract

We describe a computational model of human T cell regulatory dynamics. We used this model to simulate changes in T cell pool numbers and for studying feedback and feed-forward responses in and among these pools. The pools identified were the bone marrow stem cell compartment, early and late thymocyte compartments and the peripheral compartment of mature T lymphocytes. Simulated data showed variable intercompartmental strengths indicative of a range of sensitivities to feedback regulation and respective variable feed-forward responses. The results compare well to known clinical and experimental data, rendering the computational model a good basis for further research in T cell development and regulation.