A Metapopulation Model Of Granuloma Formation In The Lung During Infection With Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

The immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (Mtb) is the formation of unique lesions, called granulomas. How well these granulomas form and function is a key issue that might explain why individuals experience different disease outcomes. The spatial structures of these granulomas are...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Suman Ganguli, David Gammack, Denise E. Kirschner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIMS Press 2005-07-01
Series:Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering
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Online Access:https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/mbe.2005.2.535
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Summary:The immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (Mtb) is the formation of unique lesions, called granulomas. How well these granulomas form and function is a key issue that might explain why individuals experience different disease outcomes. The spatial structures of these granulomas are not well understood. In this paper, we use a metapopulation framework to develop a spatio-temporal model of the immune response to Mtb. Using this model, we are able to investigate the spatial organization of the immune response in the lungs to Mtb. We identify both host and pathogen factors that contribute to successful infection control. Additionally, we identify specific spatial interactions and mechanisms important for successful granuloma formation. These results can be further studied in the experimental setting.
ISSN:1551-0018