Mechanisms of tolerance - Part II: How do the cells react to tolerogen?

Abstract

My intention is not to speak about tolerance at first. I will simply consider the normal T lymphocyte proliferation process. I will show that in this proliferation model, which was not designed to account for tolerance, clonal energy develops in some circumstances. The most essential substance which drives T lymphocyte proliferation is IL-2. If we make a very simple formula, which says that IL-2 is produced by helper T cells that see antigen, we have a model of the IL-2 production process. Its sensible to assume that there is some saturation function that limits the production of IL-2 by helper T lymphocytes (HTL).