International Journal of Artiicial Life Research, 2(2), 105-121, April-June 2011 105
Copyright © 2011, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited.
Keywords: Acute Inlammatory Mediator, Agent-based Model System, Dynamics Model, Multi-agent
Simulation Model, Simulation Model
IntroDuCtIon
The function of the human immune system is
to respond to intruding pathogens or damage
tissues (e.g., trauma) and to prevent them from
spreading to the entire body by producing warn-
ing chemical signals, activating relevant im-
mune cells in the blood circulation system near
the infected area, and then killing the intruded
pathogens or microbial organisms. The process
An Autonomous Multi-Agent
Simulation Model for Acute
Inlammatory response
John Wu, Kansas State University, USA
David Ben-Arieh, Kansas State University, USA
Zhenzhen Shi, Kansas State University, USA
AbStrACt
This research proposes an agent-based simulation model combined with the strength of systemic dynamic
mathematical model, providing a new modeling and simulation approach of the pathogenesis of AIR. AIR is
the initial stage of a typical sepsis episode, often leading to severe sepsis or septic shocks. The process of AIR
has been in the focal point affecting more than 750,000 patients annually in the United State alone. Based
on the agent-based model presented herein, clinicians can predict the sepsis pathogenesis for patients using
the prognostic indicators from the simulation results, planning the proper therapeutic interventions accord-
ingly. Impressively, the modeling approach presented creates a friendly user-interface allowing physicians
to visualize and capture the potential AIR progression patterns. Based on the computational studies, the
simulated behavior of the agent–based model conforms to the mechanisms described by the system dynamics
mathematical models established in previous research.
to protect the human body from further infec-
tion by harmful stimuli is commonly referred
as the immune responses or acute inflammatory
responses. However, an uncontrolled series of
Acute Immune Responses (AIR) may lead to
possible sepsis, severe sepsis or sepsis shocks
since the immune cells and their released
cytokines eliminate pathogens and microbial
organisms but which also kill neighboring
healthy cells. Recent census found that more
than 750,000 severe sepsis or sepsis shock
cases developed from sepsis in the US (Angus,
DOI: 10.4018/jalr.2011040106