Evaluación de un prototipo de modelo de vida artificial para simular interacciones entre el sistema inmune humano, el virus del papiloma humano tipo 16 y vacunas terapéuticas

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the artificial life model that simulates behaviours based on interactions occurring between the human immune system, the life cycle of human papillomavirus type 16 and certain types of therapeutic vaccines through virtual experiments on the constructed prototype. Materials and methodsWe developed the HPV16-ALIFE prototype using artificial life techniques to be used as a virtual laboratory. To evaluate the model, we analysed the responses of the simulated immune system under 2 circumstances: when a persistent infection is present that originates from HPV16 and causes lesions, and when the nanodevice releases a dose as part of a therapeutic vaccination strategy. Performing virtual trials means we can produce results for subsequent analysis and comparison with real-world clinical data. Results and conclusionsThe simulations enabled us to observe the proliferation of different cell populations considered in the model, levels of viral protein expression and cytokine secretion, transition stages of the developing infectious process-, low- and high-grade intraepithelial lesions, pre-cancer, and cancer status. The virtual patients who did not receive vaccines developed cancer status with peak rates of 18.86%. The patients who received a vaccination strategy reported a significant decrease in their cancer status, with peak rates varying between 0.48 and 3.12%, according to the specifications associated with each vaccine evaluated. The simulated immune system proved responsive to the activity of the virus and the vaccine.