Slow proliferation as a survival advantage: An attempt to resolve at paradox

A model is proposed for immunological high zone- and self-tolerance that is based on the concept of overstimulation of replication: It is demonstrated that if proliferation is hindered by delayed response to nutritional defic iency, then under competitive conditions slower proliferation can become a survival advantage. This offers a resolution of the paradox that self-antig ens promote both positive and negative selection in the development of lymp hocytes. It also suggests that maintaining nutrition and caloric intake at a minimal level can prolong the survival of cancer patients if the cancer c ells replicate more rapidly than healthy ones. (C) 2001 Academic Press.