ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces a novel "object-oriented" approach to an antigen-driven mathematical model of the immune system. The immune system is an anticipatory system serving as part of the host's recognition and defense mechanisms. Important cellular components are the phagocytes, e.g., macrophages, which form part of the innate immune system and the lymphocytes, e.g., B and T cells, which mediate adaptive immunity. From the experimentally known or theoretically postulated interactions between B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and macrophages, the author is able to deduce a principle of similarity in interaction. Upon contact with the macrophage-antigen complex, T cells are activated and can secrete a variety of activating and/or proliferation-inducing factors. A three-state automaton, containing two induction states and one effector state, suffices to describe the macrophage compartment. In the context of cellular automata, the name Cellular Device Machine relates to the automaton classes fundamental for its configuration.
