Challenges in the Immune System: Mesoscale and Mesoregime Complexity

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Systems Biology
• Complexity Science

Background:

• The human immune system presents significant challenges due to its inherent multilevel and multiscale complexities.
• Traditional research methodologies, often reductionist or holistic, struggle to capture the full scope of immune system dynamics.
• Complexity in the immune system emerges at intermediate scales (mesoscales) and transitional regimes (mesoregimes).

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a perspective on the complexities of the human immune system.
• To discuss how these complexities influence traditional research methodologies.
• To propose mesoscience as a promising paradigm for studying immune system complexity and diversity.

Main Methods:

• The paper adopts a mesoscience perspective, focusing on mesoscales and mesoregimes.
• Mesoscales are defined as intermediate scales between element and system scales.
• Mesoregimes are transitional regimes governed by the interplay of dominant mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Mesoscience provides a framework to bridge hierarchical levels in the immune system.
• It offers a novel approach to address the multilevel and multiscale complexities.
• This methodology can yield insights into immune-related diseases.

Conclusions:

• Mesoscience is a promising paradigm for understanding the human immune system's complexity.
• It enables bridging gaps across multiple hierarchical levels.
• A mesoscience perspective can inform diagnostic, therapeutic, and theranostic strategies for immune diseases.