High-fidelity discrete modeling of the HPA axis: a study of regulatory plasticity in biology.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a central regulator of stress response and its dysfunction has been associated with a broad range of complex illnesses including Gulf War Illness (GWI) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Though classical mathematical approaches have been used to model HPA function in isolation, its broad regulatory interactions with immune and central nervous function are such that the biological fidelity of simulations is undermined by the limited availability of reliable parameter estimates.

Method

Here we introduce and apply a generalized discrete formalism to recover multiple stable regulatory programs of the HPA axis using little more than connectivity between physiological components. This simple discrete model captures cycli

SUBMITTER: Sedghamiz H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6050677 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature