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Stalidzans E, Zanin M, Tieri P, Castiglione F, Polster A, Scheiner S, Pahle J, Stres B, List M, Baumbach J, Lautizi M, Van Steen K, Schmidt HH. Mechanistic Modeling and Multiscale Applications for Precision Medicine: Theory and Practice. NETWORK AND SYSTEMS MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.1089/nsm.2020.0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Egils Stalidzans
- Computational Systems Biology Group, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
- Latvian Biomedical Reasearch and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Massimiliano Zanin
- Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Paolo Tieri
- CNR National Research Council, IAC Institute for Applied Computing, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Castiglione
- CNR National Research Council, IAC Institute for Applied Computing, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Stefan Scheiner
- Institute for Mechanics of Materials and Structures, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jürgen Pahle
- BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Blaž Stres
- Department of Animal Science, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Markus List
- Big Data in BioMedicine Research Group, Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Jan Baumbach
- Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Manuela Lautizi
- Computational Systems Medicine Research Group, Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Kristel Van Steen
- BIO-Systems Genetics, GIGA-R, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- BIO3—Systems Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Harald H.H.W. Schmidt
- Department of Pharmacology and Personalised Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Vibert J, Thomas-Vaslin V. Modelling T cell proliferation: Dynamics heterogeneity depending on cell differentiation, age, and genetic background. PLoS Comput Biol 2017; 13:e1005417. [PMID: 28288157 PMCID: PMC5367836 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell proliferation is the common characteristic of all biological systems. The immune system insures the maintenance of body integrity on the basis of a continuous production of diversified T lymphocytes in the thymus. This involves processes of proliferation, differentiation, selection, death and migration of lymphocytes to peripheral tissues, where proliferation also occurs upon antigen recognition. Quantification of cell proliferation dynamics requires specific experimental methods and mathematical modelling. Here, we assess the impact of genetics and aging on the immune system by investigating the dynamics of proliferation of T lymphocytes across their differentiation through thymus and spleen in mice. Our investigation is based on single-cell multicolour flow cytometry analysis revealing the active incorporation of a thymidine analogue during S phase after pulse-chase-pulse experiments in vivo, versus cell DNA content. A generic mathematical model of state transition simulates through Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) the evolution of single cell behaviour during various durations of labelling. It allows us to fit our data, to deduce proliferation rates and estimate cell cycle durations in sub-populations. Our model is simple and flexible and is validated with other durations of pulse/chase experiments. Our results reveal that T cell proliferation is highly heterogeneous but with a specific “signature” that depends upon genetic origins, is specific to cell differentiation stages in thymus and spleen and is altered with age. In conclusion, our model allows us to infer proliferation rates and cell cycle phase durations from complex experimental 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) data, revealing T cell proliferation heterogeneity and specific signatures. We assess the impact of genetics and aging on immune system dynamics by investigating the dynamics of proliferation of T lymphocytes across their differentiation through thymus and spleen in mice. Understanding cell proliferation dynamics requires specific experimental methods and mathematical modelling. Our investigation is based upon single-cell multicolour flow cytometry analysis thereby revealing the active incorporation in DNA of a thymidine analogue during S phase after pulse-chase experiments in vivo, versus cell DNA content. A generic mathematical model that simulates the evolution of single cell behaviour during the experiment allows us to fit our data, to deduce proliferation rates and mean cell cycle phase durations in sub-populations. This reveals that T cell proliferation is constrained by genetic influences, declines with age, and is specific to cell differentiation stage, revealing a specific “signature” of cell proliferation. Our model is simple and flexible and can be used with other pulse/chase experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Vibert
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (I3) UMRS959; Paris, France
| | - Véronique Thomas-Vaslin
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (I3) UMRS959; Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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Williams RA, Timmis J, Qwarnstrom EE. Statistical Techniques Complement UML When Developing Domain Models of Complex Dynamical Biosystems. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160834. [PMID: 27571414 PMCID: PMC5003378 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Computational modelling and simulation is increasingly being used to complement traditional wet-lab techniques when investigating the mechanistic behaviours of complex biological systems. In order to ensure computational models are fit for purpose, it is essential that the abstracted view of biology captured in the computational model, is clearly and unambiguously defined within a conceptual model of the biological domain (a domain model), that acts to accurately represent the biological system and to document the functional requirements for the resultant computational model. We present a domain model of the IL-1 stimulated NF-κB signalling pathway, which unambiguously defines the spatial, temporal and stochastic requirements for our future computational model. Through the development of this model, we observe that, in isolation, UML is not sufficient for the purpose of creating a domain model, and that a number of descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques provide complementary perspectives, in particular when modelling the heterogeneity of dynamics at the single-cell level. We believe this approach of using UML to define the structure and interactions within a complex system, along with statistics to define the stochastic and dynamic nature of complex systems, is crucial for ensuring that conceptual models of complex dynamical biosystems, which are developed using UML, are fit for purpose, and unambiguously define the functional requirements for the resultant computational model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A. Williams
- Department of Computer Science, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- York Computational Immunology Laboratory, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Jon Timmis
- York Computational Immunology Laboratory, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- Department of Electronics, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Eva E. Qwarnstrom
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Affiliated, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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Zhang L, Williams RA, Gatherer D. Rosen's (M,R) system in Unified Modelling Language. Biosystems 2016; 139:29-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2015.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Cosgrove J, Butler J, Alden K, Read M, Kumar V, Cucurull-Sanchez L, Timmis J, Coles M. Agent-Based Modeling in Systems Pharmacology. CPT-PHARMACOMETRICS & SYSTEMS PHARMACOLOGY 2015; 4:615-29. [PMID: 26783498 PMCID: PMC4716580 DOI: 10.1002/psp4.12018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Modeling and simulation (M&S) techniques provide a platform for knowledge integration and hypothesis testing to gain insights into biological systems that would not be possible a priori. Agent‐based modeling (ABM) is an M&S technique that focuses on describing individual components rather than homogenous populations. This tutorial introduces ABM to systems pharmacologists, using relevant case studies to highlight how ABM‐specific strengths have yielded success in the area of preclinical mechanistic modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Cosgrove
- York Computational Immunology LabUniversity of YorkYorkUK; Centre for Immunology and InfectionUniversity of YorkYorkUK; Department of ElectronicsUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | - J Butler
- York Computational Immunology LabUniversity of YorkYorkUK; Centre for Immunology and InfectionUniversity of YorkYorkUK; Department of ElectronicsUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | - K Alden
- York Computational Immunology LabUniversity of YorkYorkUK; Centre for Immunology and InfectionUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | - M Read
- Charles Perkins Centre University of Sydney Sydney Australia
| | - V Kumar
- University of California School of Medicine LA Jolla California USA
| | | | - J Timmis
- York Computational Immunology LabUniversity of YorkYorkUK; Department of ElectronicsUniversity of YorkYorkUK; SimOmicsYorkUK
| | - M Coles
- York Computational Immunology LabUniversity of YorkYorkUK; Centre for Immunology and InfectionUniversity of YorkYorkUK; SimOmicsYorkUK
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Read M, Andrews PS, Timmis J, Kumar V. Modelling biological behaviours with the unified modelling language: an immunological case study and critique. J R Soc Interface 2015; 11:rsif.2014.0704. [PMID: 25142524 PMCID: PMC4233755 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2014.0704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a framework to assist the diagrammatic modelling of complex biological systems using the unified modelling language (UML). The framework comprises three levels of modelling, ranging in scope from the dynamics of individual model entities to system-level emergent properties. By way of an immunological case study of the mouse disease experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, we show how the framework can be used to produce models that capture and communicate the biological system, detailing how biological entities, interactions and behaviours lead to higher-level emergent properties observed in the real world. We demonstrate how the UML can be successfully applied within our framework, and provide a critique of UML's ability to capture concepts fundamental to immunology and biology more generally. We show how specialized, well-explained diagrams with less formal semantics can be used where no suitable UML formalism exists. We highlight UML's lack of expressive ability concerning cyclic feedbacks in cellular networks, and the compounding concurrency arising from huge numbers of stochastic, interacting agents. To compensate for this, we propose several additional relationships for expressing these concepts in UML's activity diagram. We also demonstrate the ambiguous nature of class diagrams when applied to complex biology, and question their utility in modelling such dynamic systems. Models created through our framework are non-executable, and expressly free of simulation implementation concerns. They are a valuable complement and precursor to simulation specifications and implementations, focusing purely on thoroughly exploring the biology, recording hypotheses and assumptions, and serve as a communication medium detailing exactly how a simulation relates to the real biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Read
- Department of Electronics, University of York, York YO10 5GW, UK
| | - Paul S Andrews
- Department of Computer Science, University of York, York YO10 5GW, UK
| | - Jon Timmis
- Department of Electronics, University of York, York YO10 5GW, UK
| | - Vipin Kumar
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
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Castiglione F, Pappalardo F, Bianca C, Russo G, Motta S. Modeling biology spanning different scales: an open challenge. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:902545. [PMID: 25143952 PMCID: PMC4124842 DOI: 10.1155/2014/902545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
It is coming nowadays more clear that in order to obtain a unified description of the different mechanisms governing the behavior and causality relations among the various parts of a living system, the development of comprehensive computational and mathematical models at different space and time scales is required. This is one of the most formidable challenges of modern biology characterized by the availability of huge amount of high throughput measurements. In this paper we draw attention to the importance of multiscale modeling in the framework of studies of biological systems in general and of the immune system in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Castiglione
- Institute for Applied Mathematics, National Research Council of Italy, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Bianca
- Theoretical Physics of Condensed Matter, Sorbonne Universities, UPMC Univ Paris 6, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France
- UMR 7600 LPTMC, CNRS, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Giulia Russo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Santo Motta
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
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Goyet S, Barennes H, Libourel T, van Griensven J, Frutos R, Tarantola A. Knowledge translation: a case study on pneumonia research and clinical guidelines in a low- income country. Implement Sci 2014; 9:82. [PMID: 24969242 PMCID: PMC4094455 DOI: 10.1186/1748-5908-9-82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The process and effectiveness of knowledge translation (KT) interventions targeting policymakers are rarely reported. In Cambodia, a low-income country (LIC), an intervention aiming to provide evidence-based knowledge on pneumonia to health authorities was developed to help update pediatric and adult national clinical guidelines. Through a case study, we assessed the effectiveness of this KT intervention, with the goal of identifying the barriers to KT and suggest strategies to facilitate KT in similar settings. METHODS An extensive search for all relevant sources of data documenting the processes of updating adult and pediatric pneumonia guidelines was done. Documents included among others, reports, meeting minutes, and email correspondences. The study was conducted in successive phases: an appraisal of the content of both adult and pediatric pneumonia guidelines; an appraisal of the quality of guidelines by independent experts, using the AGREE-II instrument; a description and modeling of the KT process within the guidelines updating system, using the Unified Modeling Language (UML) tools 2.2; and the listing of the barriers and facilitators to KT we identified during the study. RESULTS The first appraisal showed that the integration of the KT key messages in pediatric and adult guidelines varied with a better efficiency in the pediatric guidelines. The overall AGREE-II quality assessments scored 37% and 44% for adult and pediatric guidelines, respectively. Scores were lowest for the domains of 'rigor of development' and 'editorial independence.' The UML analysis highlighted that time frames and constraints of the involved stakeholders greatly differed and that there were several missed opportunities to translate on evidence into the adult pneumonia guideline. Seventeen facilitating factors and 18 potential barriers to KT were identified. Main barriers were related to the absence of a clear mandate from the Ministry of Health for the researchers and to a lack of synchronization between knowledge production and policy-making. CONCLUSIONS Study findings suggest that stakeholders, both researchers and policy makers planning to update clinical guidelines in LIC may need methodological support to overcome the expected barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Goyet
- Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, Institut Pasteur, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Hubert Barennes
- Agence Nationale de recherche sur le SIDA et les hépatites, Paris, France
- ISPED, Centre INSERM U897-Epidemiologie-Biostatistique, Université de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
- INSERM, ISPED, Centre INSERM U897-Epidemiologie-Biostatistique, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Therese Libourel
- Université Montpellier 2, UMR Espace Dev, IRD-UM2-UAG-ULR, Montpellier, France
| | - Johan van Griensven
- Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Roger Frutos
- Université Montpellier 2, CPBS, UMR 5236 CNRS-UM1-UM2, Montpellier, France
- Intertryp, UMR 17, IRD-Cirad, Campus international de Baillarguet, 34398 Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
| | - Arnaud Tarantola
- Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, Institut Pasteur, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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