Immune memory, immune oblivion: A lesson from Funes the memorious

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2 Scopus citations

Abstract

We commonly think of the immune system as having a memory. However, memory is always accompanied by a complementary process of oblivion. Is there immune oblivion? In this theoretical paper, I address this question and suggest that oblivion is an integral aspect of memorization. In this context, I suggest that immune memory is an orchestration of reversible and irreversible processes of biological computation through feedback loops. Drawing on the linguistic metaphor, I inquire into the implications of this idea for a better understanding of immune memory and immune deficiency among the elderly.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16-22
Number of pages7
JournalProgress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Volume95
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2007

Keywords

  • Biosemiotics
  • Immune memory/oblivion
  • Immune system
  • Interdisciplinary research
  • Linguistic metaphor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology

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