title: Defense system shortcuts and limits of scope.
abstract: Defense, as a key factor of life, shares the biological tendencies of simplicity and energy saving. We propose that, like the mind, defense tends to rely on shortcuts via immune memes. Also, response repetition may induce the formation of virtual 'modules' [toolkits] to simplify and perfect performance. Engaged modules may expand by proliferating or by capturing immune components from the 'dormant' and even perhaps from active ones. With regard to recovery and/or survival, complexity of the integrated defense system (IDS) (1) requires to be inside of what we call the 'functional window'. In contrast to the physiological and common disease repair, energy is squandered when IDS perceives real danger. Our concern is the uncertain transition to conditions that do not fit into the IDS routine and, even worse, that are outside the functional window where the system is lacking.
authors.affiliation: rewald@arnet.com.ar
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rewald
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Francischetti
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D008954:Models, Biological