Developmental Immunology

This timely, comprehensive volume draws on recent advances in molecular, cellular and organismal biology to provide a detailed analysis of the phylogeny and ontogeny of the immune system. This first book to provide broad coverage of this field gives a clear description of cellular and molecular interactions in the development of immune function. Although most of this work is based on studies in vertebrates, the intriguing observations of cytokine-like molecules in invertebrates are discussed. In a final section, the contributors deal with abnormalities in the development and regulation of the immune system, including primary immunodeficiency diseases, and with the normal aging of the immune system. Throughout the book, an effort has been made to compare and integrate information from studies in diverse systems, and to discuss the limitations of such comparisons. This work will be of special interest to immunologists and theoretical, cell and developmental biologisis, and much of the book will be useful to physicians working in pediatrics, internal medicine and reproductive medicine.

Aspects of Developmental and Comparative Immunology contains the proceedings of the 1st Congress of Developmental and Comparative Immunology, held from July 27 to August 1, 1980 in Aberdeen, Scotland. The papers explore various aspects of developmental and comparative immunology and cover topics ranging from the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and membrane immunoglobulins to idiotypes and diversity, comparative ontogeny, and evolution of lymphoid organ function. Comprised of 105 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of how the host immune system utilizes polymorphic MHC antigens as the principal tool for pseudo-self versus true self distinction. The reader is then introduced to the immunology of earthworms, membrane immunoglobulins, idiotypes, and diversity. Subsequent chapters focus on the evolution of lymphoid organs in vertebrates; differentiation clocks in comparative immunology of mammals and birds; immunorecognition in invertebrates such as insects and gastropods; and the phylogeny of leucocytes in vertebrates and invertebrates. The remaining sections deal with stem cells, immune responses of gut-associated lymphoepithelial tissue, and the ontogeny of resistance to infection as well as the ontogeny of killer cells. Finally, the immunology of fish, amphibians, reptiles, chickens, and mammals is examined. This monograph will be of interest to immunobiologists.

Books on both chicken immunology and developmental biology are rare. This one, however, summarizes all aspects of both areas and therefore represents a valuable compendium for experienced researchers as well as for all newcomers to the field. Following a lengthy discussion of the origin of hemopoietic cells, regulatory elements for the differentiation of these cells and B and T cell lymphopoiesis, the book goes on to describe the generation of transgenic chickens as well as an additional basic feature in embryogenesis: the positioning of organ anlage, e.g. the limb bud. To round off, a valuable compilation of monoclonal antibodies further enhances the practical usefulness of this important book.

The human immune system is a complex network of tissues and organs dispersed throughout the body. Immunology, as one of the most rapidly evolving fields in bio¬medical research, has to date covered the essential cellular and molecular events neces¬sary for immune responses to occur. However, it has paid relatively little attention to important developmental processes underlying the formation of the tissues themselves that carry out immune responses in humans and other mammalians. In contrast to the thymus and bone marrow that are the sole tissues for generating mature leukocytes for antigen recognition and han¬dling in humans and most mammalian species, the peripheral lymphoid tissues where adaptive immune responses are focused display broad tissue distribution and possess diverse archi¬tectural characteristics. These organs develop prior to the individual’s exposure to external antigens, and despite their similar functions, their varied appearances indicate a substantial complexity of tissue ontogeny. This volume presents a comprehensive overview of the developmental features of the major peripheral lymphoid organs, thus examining the connection between immunological functionality and structural characteristics utilizing a developmental approach, for an audience ranging from undergraduate students to senior researchers in immunology, histology and clinical medicine.

The Janeway's Immunobiology CD-ROM, Immunobiology Interactive, is included with each book, and can be purchased separately. It contains animations and videos with voiceover narration, as well as the figures from the text for presentation purposes.

Despite rapidly increasing interest in developmental immunotoxicology, there is not yet a textbook focused on this hot area of research. Developmental Immunotoxicology fills the void with overviews of immune system development in experimental animal and human models, and discusses the complex issues related to the evolution of developmental immunology and risk assessment. This text describes different models used to study developmental immunotoxicology and examples of specific developmental immunotoxic agents, including therapeutics. The text concludes with several chapters that describe the role of neuroimmune interactions as they relate to developmental immunotoxicology. Using a didactic approach, Developmental Immunotoxicology provides an explanatory overview of this cutting-edge field for toxicologists, immunologists, and developmental biologists. It provides a lucid account of this area of research-proposing answers to some questions and stimulating debate on those questions yet to be addressed by the research community.