Handbook Of Immune Response Genes

The study of immunology encompasses a vast and ever-growing body of information that in some way or other incorporates most areas of medical biological research. As the body of information in the medical sciences continues to increase its rate of expansion, one of the greatest challenges to investigators will be to integrate this information in a manner that is intellectually fruitful and productive. Considering the intended scope of this text, we could not pretend to have gone too far toward achieving such an integration--and considering the pace of change, in its very best form a measured approximation of such lofty goals might be the most we could hope for. Nevertheless, in these pages we have sought to produce a collection of information that is at once concise and up-to-date regarding areas where important developments are impacting on the way we understand the vertebrate immune system. In addition, although the information is geared toward advanced study, we have discussed some basic elements and concepts that we hope make the text a useful resource for both the immunologist and the nonspecialist. The intention is to provide the researcher, clinician, or advanced undergraduate student with a brief ov- view of specific components of the immune system, and to provide a place from which to begin further detailed study if necessary. To this end, we made every effort to supply extensive referencing--although limitations in space prevented exhaustive or complete referencing in some cases.

Since the publication of the first edition of the Handbook of Human Immunology in 1997, major scientific achievements have directly contributed to an increased understanding of the complexities of the human immune system in health and disease. Whether as a result of the sequencing of the entire human genome, or of technological advancements, several new components of the immune system have been revealed, along with new technologies for their measurement and evaluation. Major breakthroughs in the field include an increase in the number of recognized "clusters of differentiation" on the surface of leukocytes and associated cells, the establishment of a chemokine and chemokine receptor nomenclature system, the discovery of more than 30 lymphokines, and humanized monoclonal antibody therapy as a staple of pharmacologic armamentarium Modeling the previous edition, the text begins with an overview of the immune system, focusing on the role of cell receptors, accessory molecules, and cytokines in immune responses and immunological disorders. It then presents a practical, easy-to-read chapter on "statistics in immunological testing"—an invaluable asset for interpreting test results, validating new tests, and developing reference ranges. Simultaneously, the text emphasizes clinically relevant immunological parameters and clarifies the basic principles underlying immune system assays, and applications and interpretations of immune tests. A complete guide to molecular and cellular immunology for practicing clinicians, clinical laboratory professionals, and students, this resource combines basic explanations of laboratory tests with more than 100 tables full of references, and up-to-date information on new developments in immunogenetics.

The book appeared in two previous Slovak editions for university students in Czechoslovakia. This edition presents a completely new version updated according to recent advances not only in immunochemistry and essential immunology but also in molecular biology, biochemistry and molecular genetics. The scope of the book is considerable since the goal was to cover the field of immunochemistry from the widest point of view including both the topic and methods of contemporary immunochemistry. Each chapter provides basic information on a specific subtopic, clearly and understandab ly, and presents principles of individual immunochemical methods. I am confident that the book will fill the gap between the books on essential immunology and highly specialised books on individual areas of immunoche mistry (e. g. on antibodies, antigens, numerous immunochemical techniques, etc. ). It may also prove useful for beginning investigators from different biological and medical fields as it supplies basic information needed for solving their scientific problems by immunochemical approaches. I do hope that readers will find the text stimulatory and pleasury to read. I wish to thank all colleagues and friends for supplying their own results, suggestions and for their encouraging comments. My thanks go also to the editors and publishers for their valuable contribution to the preparation of the book. 1 Introduction The term immunochemistry was coined by the Swedish chemist ARRHENIUS who used it for the first time in his lectures in 1907.

This authoritative handbook covers all aspects of immunosenescence, with contributions from experts in the research and clinical areas. It examines methods and models for studying immunosenescence; genetics; mechanisms including receptors and signal transduction; clinical relevance in disease states including infections, autoimmunity, cancer, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, frailty and osteoporosis; and much more.

Recent evidence proving the molecular link between unchecked, chronic inflammation and cancer has implicated the transcription factor NF-kB as a key factor in both inhibiting apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation. Since its initial identification 20 years ago as a simple regulating factor in one small part of the immune response, NF-kB is proving to be the most protean of all transcription factors. It has been shown to function in most cell types as a key regulator of a number of inducible genes. Research on the responsibilities and resulting pathologies of NF-kB has been prolific, but until now there has been no consolidated, multidisciplinary reference. Providing contributions from leading authorities involved with seminal discoveries on the subject, Handbook of Transcription Factor NF-kappaB is an entry point to understanding the broad role of this widely studied factor. Beginning with a summary, the authors introduce the uninitiated reader to the complexities of the NF-kB system. They explain how a multitude of extracellular and intercellular signals integrated at the level of this transcription factor have led to fundamental insights about many aspects of gene regulation and signal transduction. The chapters delve into specific research aspects concerning the function and regulation of NF-kB in a number of biological systems. They discuss inflammation, innate and adaptive immunity, liver integrity, and nervous system development, as well as the formation of hair, skin, teeth, and many other aspects of the developing vertebrate body. The pathological effects of excess NF-kB activity are addressed in chapters on diseases related to chronic inflammation, such as heart disease, muscular dystrophy, cancer, and tumor proliferation, as well as diseases caused by inherent deficiencies in NF-kB. The text culminates in a discussion of current efforts to develop therapies aimed at inhibiting the aberrant activity of NF-kB in different diseases.

To compile this up-to-date handbook, Dr. Charles Snow of the University of Kentucky Medical Center has assembled works by a premier group of active investigators who meet the needs of todays researchers. The handbookprovides a broad overview of the historical and current research in B- and T-cell biology, and presents the latest developments in this fast-breaking field to all professionals concerned with the humoral immune response of the body.

This unique book provides a comprehensive and comparative guide to the immune systems of major vertebrate species, including domestic and wild animals of veterinary or medical interest, fish and amphibia. Data in this essential reference work has been compiled by world-renowned editors and an international group of authors. For each species, the information is presented in a structured 'user-friendly' format allowing easy cross reference and comparison between the various species. This book will be considered the definitive reference work on vertebrate immunology and will be essential for scientists and professionals working in Immunology, Vaccinology or with Animal Models, for students of Veterinary or Human Medicine, Biology and researchers in Comparative Medicine and Physiology. Each section, devoted to a major animal group covers: Lymphoid organs and their anatomical disposition Leukocytes and their markers Leukocyte traffic and associated molecules Cytokines T cell receptors Immunoglobulins MHC antigens Ontogeny of the immune system Passive transfer of immunity Neonatal immune responses Non-specific immunity Complement system Mucosal immunity Immunodeficiencies Tumours of the immune system Autoimmunity

The fourth edition of The Cytokine Handbook provides an encyclopedic coverage of the molecules that induce and regulate immune responses. Now expanded to two volumes, co-edited by Michael T Lotze, and written by over 120 international experts, the scope of the book has been broadened to include a major emphasis on the clinical applications of cytokines. The early chapters discuss individual cytokines, chemokines and receptors. Additional chapters discuss the clinical implications and applications of cytokines, including cytokine gene transfer, antisense therapy and assay systems. This book is essential for researchers and clinicians interested in cytokines, including anyone working in cancer biology, transplantation, infectious diseases, autoimmunity or bioinformatics. Key Features * Covers all main cytokines and chemokines * Written by experts * Up-to-date- includes detailed referencing accessing current, modern literature and reflects the newest findings from the human genome * The new edition has been thoroughly revised and extended (now 2 volumes) as compared to the last edition, including new co-editor (MTL), new authors, new hot topics and new chapters * Includes major emphasis on clinical applications * Extensively illustrated with tables and figures