Genetic Control Of Autoimmune Disease

This title provides an extremely helpful analysis of genes that may be associated with autoimmunity, and answers questions such as how these genes can be identified, and how the functions of the gene products can be elucidated. Incorporating data on disease-associated chromosomal loci that has been accumulated from inbred mice, the title: descibes how some susceptibility loci may be common to many diseases, whereas others are relatively disease specific discusses the importance of developing criteria for establishing the significance of these different categories of disease-associated loci.

Autoimmunity is one of the most highly investigated areas of immunologic research. The principle of immune system discrimination between self and foreign molecules is fundamental to the survival of the species, and the failure to establish or maintain this discrimination can lead to a wide spectrum of diseases. As a consequence of intensive studies, much has been learned with regard to the normal functioning of the immune system and the editing processes by which self-tolerance is established. Moreover, many theories and experimental models have been developed to explore the mechanisms of autoimmune disease pathogenesis. This book is the first volume of the new series 'Current Directions in Autoimmunity', which aims to consolidate current knowledge of autoimmunity focusing on both basic and clinical aspects. Given that these diseases have a strong genetic basis, it seems appropriate that the first volume addresses this topic. It reviews the most recent findings on genes affecting autoimmunity and genome-wide studies defining the multiple loci predisposing to prominent autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, arthritis, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. For each of these entities, studies in experimental models as well as humans are covered. The authoritative and timely material will be of interest to investigators in the fields of immunology and genetics, to clinicians with interest in rheumatology, endocrinology and neurology, and to those working to devise gene-specific therapies for a variety of inflammatory conditions.

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.

The main aim of this volume is to provide an updated overview of the genetic basis of a group of complex disorders that are considered rare individually, but show a relatively high prevalence on the whole in developed countries: the rare autoimmune diseases. These are chronic disorders that involve long and expensive treatments with considerable side effects that may dramatically reduce the quality of life of affected people. Therefore, shedding light into their pathologic mechanisms is a major concern given their growing social and economic awareness and impact. General sections include different chapters on single entities as systemic lupus and sclerosis, Behçet’s disease, Sjogren’s syndrome and polymiositis, and sections devoted to autoimmune vasculitis, hepatic autoimmune conditions, as well as those affecting the nervous system, and a concluding chapter in which the shared predisposition amongst all diseases is discussed. All the chapters are given a homogeneous scheme in which the authors explain the clinical singularities of every disease and report the recent breakthrough discoveries related to them, giving a critical interpretation and suggesting future perspectives. All contributors are renowned researchers with high expertise in each disease. Due to the exponential increase in our understanding of the genetic causes of these complex diseases, a major advance in biomedical discovery is taking place. However, most of the achievements in this field are very recent and there is a lack of bibliography gathering them together. This book is thus filling a gap and will prove a useful companion to clinicians in the first place (internists, rheumatologists, clinical immunologists, and hematologists) but also to basic and applied researchers.

Genetic Control of Immune Responsiveness: Relationship to Disease Susceptibility documents the proceedings of an international conference held at Brook Lodge, Augusta, Michigan, May 8-10, 1972. It brings together the detailed experimental evidence on the mechanism of action of specific immune response genes, and shows how the two major classes of immune response genes affect our understanding of basic immunology and antibody formation on the one hand, and of host factors determining disease susceptibility on the other. The book is organized into seven parts that correspond to the seven sessions of the conference. Part I presents a session on how the study of the genetic control of immune responses in guinea pigs and mice has contributed to the development of T cell immunology. Part II presents a session on genetic fine structure of the major (H-2) histocompatibility complex in the mouse. Part III presents a session dealing with the association between the production of homogeneous antibody, or of idiotypic antibody, and immunoglobulin allotypes. Part IV presents a session on the relationship between histocompatibility-linked and allotype-linked immune response genes and antigen-specific receptors on T and B cells. Part V presents a session on animal models of multigenic control of susceptibility to disease. Part VI presents a session on the associations between HL-A type and specific disease entities. Finally, Part VII provides a commentary on the ideas and concepts emerging from the three days of free-ranging discussion.

Remarkable advances have been made in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity, such as with bone marrow transplantation, which is becoming a powerful strategy in treating certain life-threatening diseases. The Molecular Pathology of Autoimmune Diseases is a concise and centralized resource for information on the topic, with a special focus on the molecular and genetic basis of these disorders. Dozens of international experts devote themselves to illuminating the reader in this volume, with discussions on the basic aspects of autoimmune processes to systemic and organ-specific diseases. This volume is an invaluable reference to students and professionals in immunology and related fields.