ABSTRACT
This paper consists of four theoretical sections and two experimental sections.
We describe a way in which the dynamics of an N-dimensional system can be depicted on a two-dimensional plane. The phase plane axes are the concentration xi of cells of a clone i, and the connectivity Yi of clone i, where Y i = ∑ j K i j x j https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429492693/beae5eea-08eb-4755-ad97-65e97738e9f2/content/eq225.tif"/> , and Kij is an interaction strength parameter for clones i and j. The xi /Yi phase plane contains several loci of equilibrium; when all the clones in the system have xi /Yi values located along these lines, the system is at a steady state.
We describe how IL-1 can be most simply added to the symmetrical network theory, and how the helper and suppressor phenotypes of T cells can then be related to their different cell surface markers and presumed different network connectivities.
We next turn to the I-J paradox, and suggest a solution to that problem in terms of I-J being anti-anti-self and having the role of a network “centre-pole.” The centre-pole model for I-J could help us towards an understanding of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). We describe an AIDS network theory that involves a hypothetical human equivalent of I-J, and that is related to the Ziegler-Stites autoimmunity theory. It involves destabilization of the network by both anti-anti-self and anti-anti-anti-self (that is, anti-centre-pole) antibodies. The 292theory leads to several new experimentally testable predictions and ideas for prevention of the disease. One of the predictions is that some substances that are being considered for use as vaccines are likely to cause AIDS in high risk groups. It is, therefore, important that this theory be tested experimentally as quickly as possible.
Motivated by centre-pole and network stability ideas, we looked for and found anti-anti-(self cell surface) antibodies in the autoimmune strains of mice, MRL-(+/+), MRL-lpr/lpr and B6-lpr/lpr.
Experiments that were designed to detect anti-idiotypic antibodies in ordinary hyper-immune sera yielded the remarkable result that affinity-purified polyclonal chicken antibodies of a particular specificity react with themselves more strongly than with chicken antibodies of different specificities.
