Immune/Lymphatic system

The human immune system spans a wide range of scales; loosely speaking, from the whole body (m) down to a T cell (µm). It involves two circulation systems, those of the blood and of the lymph. Many different cells are active in the various types of immune response, including lymphocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages, natural killer cells and others. An immune response is a complex interaction of many chemical and cellular species, generally initiated in the tissue, but with many of the crucial stages taking place inside lymph nodes. The broad goal of this project is simulation of the immune response, with emphasis on the spatial and temporal aspects, and the relationship between them.

A first target is a model of the transport mechanisms of the immune system, since we believe that a realistic model must be built on the foundation of the transport system. Current research is focussed on simulating T cell motion in a lymph node, and modelling lymphatic flow in the arm.

In a number of cancers, solid tumours spread through the lymphatic system. Work in melanoma treatment has shown that biopsy of the main lymph nodes draining the primary melanoma site can determine whether the cancer has spread. A technique called 'lymphoscintigraphy' has been used on a number of patients to find these draining nodes. We are currently developing an interface that will enable 3D visualisation of the primary melanoma site and corresponding draining sentinel lymph nodes, using lymphoscintigraphy data from the Sydney Melanoma Unit.

This image illustrates the T cell motility model: blue spheres are T cells, APC sphere of influence shown in green. T cells in contact with APC are red.

The Immune/Lymphatic System Group gratefully acknowledges the support of its funding partners:

• CMB CoRE

• Project members and collaborators