TY - JOUR
T1 - Germinal centres seen through the mathematical eye: B-cell models on the catwalk
AU - Meyer-Hermann, M
AU - Figge, MT
AU - Toellner, Kai-Michael
PY - 2009/4/1
Y1 - 2009/4/1
N2 - Germinal centres are receiving renewed attention following recent intravital multi-photon imaging studies. These data have shed new light on longstanding questions about the spatial organisation of germinal centres, B-cell migration, selection and differentiation. Mathematical models have proven invaluable in the analysis of intravital motility data, and have predicted novel B-cell selection mechanisms that are now supported by experimental findings. We argue that mathematical modelling adds a different vantage point to experimental data and provides a quantitative and systematic analysis of hypotheses and theories in immunology. Furthermore, the well-characterised nature of the germinal centre provides an excellent proving ground for mathematical modelling.
AB - Germinal centres are receiving renewed attention following recent intravital multi-photon imaging studies. These data have shed new light on longstanding questions about the spatial organisation of germinal centres, B-cell migration, selection and differentiation. Mathematical models have proven invaluable in the analysis of intravital motility data, and have predicted novel B-cell selection mechanisms that are now supported by experimental findings. We argue that mathematical modelling adds a different vantage point to experimental data and provides a quantitative and systematic analysis of hypotheses and theories in immunology. Furthermore, the well-characterised nature of the germinal centre provides an excellent proving ground for mathematical modelling.
U2 - 10.1016/j.it.2009.01.005
DO - 10.1016/j.it.2009.01.005
M3 - Review article
C2 - 19282244
SN - 1471-4981
VL - 30
SP - 157
EP - 164
JO - Trends in Immunology
JF - Trends in Immunology
IS - 4
ER -