Exploring the constituent mechanisms of hepatitis: a dynamical systems approach

Dunster, J. L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8986-4902, Gibbins, J. M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0372-5352 and Nelson, M. R. (2023) Exploring the constituent mechanisms of hepatitis: a dynamical systems approach. Mathematical Medicine and Biology: A Journal of the IMA, 40 (1). pp. 24-48. ISSN 1477-8599 doi: 10.1093/imammb/dqac013

Abstract/Summary

Hepatitis is the term used to describe inflammation in the liver. It is associated with a high rate of mortality, but the underlying disease mechanisms are not completely understood and treatment options are limited. We present a mathematical model of hepatitis that captures the complex interactions between hepatocytes (liver cells), hepatic stellate cells (cells in the liver that produce hepatitis-associated fibrosis) and the immune components that mediate inflammation. The model is in the form of a system of ordinary differential equations. We use numerical techniques and bifurcation analysis to characterize and elucidate the physiological mechanisms that dominate liver injury and its outcome to a healthy or unhealthy, chronic state. This study reveals the complex interactions between the multiple cell types and mediators involved in this complex disease and highlights potential problems in targeting inflammation in the liver therapeutically.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/108347
Identification Number/DOI	10.1093/imammb/dqac013
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences > Biomedical Sciences
Publisher	Oxford University Press
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