The dynamics of germinal centre selection as measured by graph-theoretical analysis of mutational lineage trees.
We have developed a rigorous graph-theoretical algorithm for quantifying the shape properties of mutational lineage trees. We show that information about the dynamics of hypermutation and antigen-driven clonal selection during the humoral immune response is contained in the shape of mutational lineage trees deduced from the responding clones. Age and tissue related differences in the selection process can be studied using this method. Thus, tree shape analysis can be used as a means of elucidating humoral immune response dynamics in various situations.
Dunn-Walters
Deborah K
DK
Department of Immunobiology and Histopathology, GKT Medical School, London, UK. deborah.dunn-walters@kcl.ac.uk
Belelovsky
Alex
A
Edelman
Hanna
H
Banerjee
Monica
M
Mehr
Ramit
R
D000465:Algorithms; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D003198:Computer Simulation; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000276:immunology*; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009154:Mutation