Zigzag Generalized Levy Walk: the In Vivo Search Strategy of Immunocytes.

ABSTRACT: Immune responses are based on the coordinated searching behaviors of immunocytes that are aimed at tracking down specific targets. The search efficiency of immunocytes significantly affects the speed of initiation and development of immune responses. Previous studies have shown that not only the intermittent walk but also the zigzag turning preference of immunocytes contributes to the search efficiency. However, among existing models describing immunocytes' search strategy, none has captured both features. Here we propose a zigzag generalized Lévy walk model to describe the search strategy of immunocytes more accurately and comprehensively by considering both the intermittent and the zigzag-turning walk features. Based on the analysis of the searching behaviors of typical immune cell types

SUBMITTER: Li H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4568454 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature