title: Individual and meta-immune networks.
abstract: Networks can be found everywhere-in technology, in nature and in our bodies. In this paper we present how antigen networks can be used as a model to study network interaction and architecture. Utilizing antigen microarray data of the reactivity of hundreds of antibodies of sera of ten mothers and their newborns, we reconstruct networks, either isotype specific (IgM or IgG) or person specific-mothers or newborns-and investigate the network properties. Such an approach makes it possible to decipher fundamental information regarding the personal immune network state and its unique characteristics. In the current paper we demonstrate how we are successful in studying the interaction between two dependent networks, the maternal IgG repertoire and the one of the offspring, using the concept of meta-network provides essential information regarding the biological phenomenon of cross placental transfer. Such an approach is useful in the study of coupled networks in variety of scientific fields.
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Sharron
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bransburg-Zabary
authors.forename: Dror Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kenett
authors.forename: Gittit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dar
authors.forename: Asaf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Madi
authors.forename: Yifat
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Merbl
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Quintana
authors.forename: Alfred I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Tauber
authors.forename: Irun R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Eshel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ben-Jacob
mesh_terms: D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D060066:Protein Interaction Maps
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M