Noisy transcription factor NF-¿B oscillations stabilize and sensitize cytokine signaling in space

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelfagfællebedømt

NF-¿B is a major transcription factor mediating inflammatory response. In response to a pro-inflammatory stimulus, it exhibits a characteristic response - a pulse followed by noisy oscillations in concentrations of considerably smaller amplitude. NF-¿B is an important mediator of cellular communication, as it is both activated by and upregulates production of cytokines, signals used by white blood cells to find the source of inflammation. While the oscillatory dynamics of NF-¿B has been extensively investigated both experimentally and theoretically, the role of the noise and the lower secondary amplitude has not been addressed. We use a cellular automaton model to address these issues in the context of spatially distributed communicating cells. We find that noisy secondary oscillations stabilize concentric wave patterns, thus improving signal quality. Furthermore, both lower secondary amplitude as well as noise in the oscillation period might be working against chronic inflammation, the state of self-sustained and stimulus-independent excitations. Our findings suggest that the characteristic irregular secondary oscillations of lower amplitude are not accidental. On the contrary, they might have evolved to increase robustness of the inflammatory response and the system's ability to return to a pre-stimulated state.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftPhysical Review E (Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics)
Vol/bind87
Udgave nummer2
Sider (fra-til)022702
ISSN1539-3755
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 5 feb. 2013

ID: 45773220