14/03/2025
Y. Ugolkov, A. Nikitich, C. Leon, G. Helmlinger, K. Peskov, V. Sokolov, A. Volkova. (2024) Mathematical modeling in autoimmune diseases: from theory to clinical application. Front. Immunol., Sec. Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Disorders: Autoinflammatory Disorders. 2024, 15:1371620. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1371620
Research and development (R&D) of new therapeutics for autoimmune diseases is complicated by the highly complex pathogenesis and multiple etiologies of these conditions. Mathematical modeling of biological systems is an important tool that can be applied to support decision making in drug R&D programs to increase the likelihood of success in drug discovery. The aim of this review was to systematically review and analyze mathematical models of autoimmune diseases focusing on the mechanistic description of the immune system, consolidate existing quantitative knowledge of autoimmune processes, and identify potential areas of interest for future model-based analyses. Despite covering a relatively wide range of diseases, most of the models described the same components of the immune system, such as T cell response, cytokine effects, or macrophage involvement in autoimmune processes. All models were thoroughly analyzed with an emphasis on assumptions, limitations, and their potential application in drug discovery.
