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Emergent Structure–Function relations in Emphysema and Asthma
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Emergent Structure–Function relations in Emphysema and Asthma

Tilo Winkler and Béla Suki
Critical reviews in biomedical engineering, Vol.39(4), pp.263-280
01/01/2011
DOI: 10.1615/CritRevBiomedEng.v39.i4.20
PMCID: PMC3228247
PMID: 22011233
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/3228247View
Open Access

Abstract

Structure-function relationships in the respiratory system are often a result of the emergence self-organized patterns or behaviors that are characteristic of certain respiratory diseases. Proper description of such self-organized behavior requires network models that include nonlinear interactions among different parts of the system. This review focuses on 2 models that exhibit self-organized behavior: a network model of the lung parenchyma during the progression of emphysema that is driven by mechanical force-induced breakdown, and an integrative model of bronchoconstriction in asthma that describes interactions among airways within the bronchial tree. Both models suggest that the transition from normal to pathologic states is a nonlinear process that includes a tipping point beyond which interactions among the system components are reinforced by positive feedback, further promoting the progression of pathologic changes. In emphysema, the progressive destruction of tissue is irreversible, while in asthma, it is possible to recover from a severe bronchoconstriction. These concepts may have implications for pulmonary medicine. Specifically, we suggest that structure–function relationships emerging from network behavior across multiple scales should be taken into account when the efficacy of novel treatments or drug therapy is evaluated. Multiscale, computational, network models will play a major role in this endeavor.

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