A quantitative measure for discriminating between self and non-self antigens in immune response

We present a new theory of how lymphocyte–antigen interaction is governed. We present ‘chronicity’, a quantitative record of previous lymphocyte–antigen interactions, which is used to regulate lymphocyte behavior. When the chronicity of a lymphocyte increases with the interaction and gets beyond the lower threshold, the lymphocyte can proliferate. Non-self antigens cause lymphocyte proliferation which destroys the antigen. However, self antigens are not destroyed. When the chronicity gets beyond the upper threshold, the lymphocytes get in the tolerance state ensuring non-destruction of self antigens. The discrimination between self and non-self results from the difference in the termination process between self and non-self antigens, caused by the difference in the frequency between interaction of lymphocyte with both antigens.