Theory of immune accentuations: formation of accentuated immunophenotype

Abstract

In numerous previous studies, we have formulated the idea of immune accentuation, demonstrated associations between immune accentuations and the unfavorable course of physiological processes, and shown that the association of several accentuations has a reliable negative effect on the further course of the reproductive process. In the article, we demonstrated the correlative and associative nature of certain immune accentuations, which explains the causes of the formation of an unfavorable immuno-accentuated phenotype. Thus, we found highly reliable correlative and associative relationships between the parameters of natural resistance (NK quantity, NK cytotoxicity, expression of CD158a and CD8 on NK cells), all these parameters were mutually correlated with each other and their accentuations were associated with accentuations of partner parameters. Another immuno-accented cluster had pro-inflammatory features, so the expression of HLA-DR on NK and T-cytotoxic cells, as well as NKT-like populations (CD3+CD56+ and CD3+CD158a+) also had highly reliable correlations and associations. This pro-inflammatory phenotype was negatively correlated and inversely associated with T-helper levels. Presumably, this is a consequence of uncontrolled chronic activation with the appearance of alternative ways of differentiation of T cells that bypass regulatory control by T-helpers. We showed a fundamental difference in the association and correlative relations between immune parameters depending on their level. Thus, HLA-DR levels on NK cells within (NK < 24 %) had a negative correlation with % NK cells, while, within (NK > 24 %) they begin to correlate positively and reliably with the number of NK. So, accentuation is the place in the distribution of the parameter, where the parameter begins to put pressure on other parameters and determine their level of direction. These are the same zones where the parameter becomes unfavorable, because it loses the possibility of regulation. Accentuation of the immune parameter is associated with specific accentuations of other parameters. Whether it causes changes in other links or whether it and other changes are the result of extra-immune or environmental factors are unknown. But it is clear that this leads to the formation of an immuno-accented phenotype. Accentuation creates prerequisites for the formation of other immune accentuations due to the imbalance of systemic immune regulation.