Integrating systems biology and medical imaging: understanding disease distribution in the lung model.
OBJECTIVE
Many chronic diseases exhibit characteristic pulmonary distribution patterns, but the underlying biologic explanations remain elusive. On the basis of emerging evidence from systems biology, we propose that gradients of T helper immune function exist as an epiphenomenon of the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction response. Regional variation of immune function may contribute to preferential distribution patterning of lung diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
The lungs represent but one example in which the distribution of immune function throughout the body may explain disease location. This hypothetic framework can apply to diseases outside the realm of pulmonary biology and illustrates the potential benefit of integrating advances in systems biology and medical imaging.
Department of Radiology, Stanford University, 470 University Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA. ayun@stanford.edu
Anthony J
AJ
Yun
Patrick Y
PY
Lee
Anthony N
AN
Gerber
D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D008954:Models, Biological; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D049490:Systems Biology