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A model of the role of natural killer cells in immune surveillance — II

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Abstract

The functioning of natural killer (NK) cells as immune surveillance effector cells against tumors is explored. In part I (J. Math. Biol. 12, 363–373 (1981)), it was predicted that susceptible tumors would be eliminated if they have parameter λ0 value negative. They would not be eliminated if λ0>0. As the λ0<0 result was local, one expected either that tumors of all sizes with λ0<0 will be eliminated (global stability) or that tumor population will go to zero if in a domain of attraction of the critical point which is not all of the positive orthant. In this paper, the second is shown to be true.

The general results are illustrated by a specific model.

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  1. Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science, Marquette University, 53233, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Stephen J. Merrill

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  1. Stephen J. Merrill
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Merrill, S.J. A model of the role of natural killer cells in immune surveillance — II. J. Math. Biology 17, 153–162 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305756

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305756

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