Slow proliferation as a survival advantage: an attempt to resolve a paradox.
A model is proposed for immunological high zone- and self-tolerance that is based on the concept of overstimulation of replication: It is demonstrated that if proliferation is hindered by delayed response to nutritional deficiency, then under competitive conditions slower proliferation can become a survival advantage. This offers a resolution of the paradox that self-antigens promote both positive and negative selection in the development of lymphocytes. It also suggests that maintaining nutrition and caloric intake at a minimal level can prolong the survival of cancer patients if the cancer cells replicate more rapidly than healthy ones.
Eichler
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Dept. of Physics, Ben Gurian University, Beer Sheva, Israel.
D002455:Cell Division; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D017634:Self Tolerance