Is it possible to equilibrate the different “levels” of an imbalanced biological system by acting upon one of them only? Example of the agonistic antagonistic networks

Abstract

To answer the question in the title, we take as an example the model for the regulation of agonistic antagonistic couples (MRAAC). It is a model that associates 4 non-linear differential equations and allows to simulate balance, imbalance between two state variables, and control, if necessary, by two control variables of the same nature as the state variables: this control is defined as a bilateral strategy (bipolar therapy in the medical field). The super model for the regulation of agonism antagonistic couples (SMRAAC), that may be also considered as an agonistic antagonistic network (AAN), associates several elementary MRAAC's, but the interconnection structure falls equally under the category of the agonistic antagonism (AA). First we indicate what may be the results of the interconnection, favourable or not. In the last case, a control can be performed, by acting upon a sole couple of the SMRAAC, even if other couples were imbalanced (with two AA control variables only). Simulation examples are given. We bring also a new result with the SMRAAC, i.e. the appearance of "strange attractors" with this model. The general models belonging to the AA phylum should put on a growing importance in the future, because they could be the sole models enable to control some complex systems by avoiding the perverse effects of the unilateral strategies.

New developments in agonistic antagonistic systems science: variable parameters, partial derivatives, medical applications

“…Let us also emphasize the fact that the MRAAC seems to lead to a partially new approach to the problem of complexity. AA networks reveal a similar pattern at each level of these networks and also, it has been proved, mathematically and empirically, that the control at the level of only one elementary couple is able to check a global imbalance of the AA network [29].…”

Biologie des systèmes et applications médicales

“…Le meilleur exemple est la chronothérapie des cancers, au cours de laquelle le médecin essaie de trouver l'instant le plus efficace, celui auquel les cellules cancéreuses seront les plus sensibles à une drogue antimitotique ou à une radiothéra-pie, les cellules saines étant synchronisées de manière à y être les moins sensibles [38,39]. Cette thérapie néces-site une modélisation prédictive précise de la dynamique cellulaire normale et pathologique [40].…”