Individuation and the Organization in Complex Living Ecosystem: Recursive Integration and Self-assertion by...

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Immunology
• Systems Biology

Background:

• Complex ecosystems exhibit dynamic individuation and organization from early development.
• The concept of a living "holon" aids in understanding dynamic self-assertion and integration within ecosystems.
• The adaptive immune system's complexity involves dynamic processes crucial for organismal integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To model the adaptive immune system using the "holon" concept.
• To explain how lymphocytes (holon-lymphocytes) maintain organism identity and integrity.
• To investigate the role of "Immunoception" in environmental antigen perception and holon integration.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual modeling using the "holon" framework.
• Analysis of lymphocyte individuation via somatic gene rearrangement.
• Integration of Lamarckian-influenced historicity in immune development.

Main Results:

• Lymphocytes function as dynamic holons, achieving self-assertion through unique antigen receptor expression.
• "Immunoception" facilitates environmental antigen perception, enabling holon integration.
• Early developmental stages and maternal transmissions influence holon-lymphocyte self-assertion and integration.

Conclusions:

• The holon model provides a dynamic framework for understanding immune system function and adaptation.
• Lymphocyte self-assertion and integration are critical for maintaining the holobiont-organism's identity and integrity.
• This model offers insights into immune system dynamics from fetal development through to supra-clonal levels.