Immunomodulation

Humans coexist with millions of harmless microorganisms, but emerging diseases, resistance to antibiotics, and the threat of bioterrorism are forcing scientists to look for new ways to confront the microbes that do pose a danger. This report identifies innovative approaches to the development of antimicrobial drugs and vaccines based on a greater understanding of how the human immune system interacts with both good and bad microbes. The report concludes that the development of a single superdrug to fight all infectious agents is unrealistic.

On May 14-16, 1982, a group of scientists met in Viareggio, Italy to present ideas, and exchange relevant data on current approaches on immunomodulators. We felt that the embodiment of the substance of that international symposium into this volume will be beneficial in keeping both clinicians and basic scientists abreast of the latest exciting developments in this rapidly accelerating field. We hope that the publication of this series of papers by an international panel of experts will enhance the nature of future inves t igat ive stud ies with such ent it ies . Under the rubric of immunology, it is obvious that such a term as "immunomodulation" could be construed as being all encompassing. However, it is intriguing that the immune modulators touched on in these sessions can be subcategorized into about five broad groups. Almost all substances, excepting those entities that are immuno logically inert, will have some modulating effects on immunity. From the coarse adjustment of antibody feedback inhibition upon cellular limnunity to the subtle finesse envisioned in Jerne's idiotypic network and s'lppressor T cells, immunomodulators attempt to either magnify or diminish those responses that are normally elicited by antigen. The broad groups - thymic hormones, D.L.E., Interferon, drugs, and the use of bacterial products appear to be at the forefront of much of the pioneering work on immunomodulation.

This book describes the process of immunomodulation and the plants which possess immunomodulation properties to boost the immune system. The immunomodulation process is highly relevant to address emerging as well as existing diseases in humans. A better immune system triggers the cellular responses for neutralizing and combating the onset of disease conditions. Chapters in the book discuss plants that have profound effects on the health and well-being of humans. They discuss the natural phytochemicals that have immense diversity and uniqueness of molecules. Molecules belonging to phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, and tannins etc possess a variety of pharmacological activities. The chapters describe how bioactive exert effects even when taken as part of the diet, supplement, and or as traditional herbal medicine. This book provides up-to-date scientific knowledge about the activities and mechanisms and leads in the area of medicinal plants and phytochemicals with immunomodulation properties. This book is meant for students, academics, researchers, and industry professionals interested in pharmacology, immunology, and plant secondary metabolites.

Immunomodulation in Domestic Food Animals covers the developments in the immunology and regulation of the immune response in domestic food animals. This book is organized into four parts encompassing 12 chapters that describe numerous factors affecting an immune response of animals and the management of these factors for food animal production. Part I provides an overview of the basic concepts of immunomodulation and the rationale for manipulating the immune response in food animals. Part II contains information on immunopotentiation using chemicals and a thorough discussion of adjuvant use. The molecular biology and in vivo use of cytokines in food animals is presented in Part III. Lastly, Part IV discusses physiologically regulated immunomodulation, including nutritional modulation of the immune response and neuroendocrine-immune interactions. This book is of great value to immunologists, microbiologists, and feed scientists and researchers.

This book synthesizes the key concepts of immunosuppression and immunomodulation. A comprehensive understanding of these processes is necessary to develop vaccines and therapeutic interventions for diseases. This book examines the role of information molecules such as cytokines and chemokines and other proteins secreted by the host upon interacting with the pathogen(s) that modulate and suppress the immune system and assist the pathogen(s) in causing disease. Chapters discuss the modulation of inflammation, signaling pathways, the interaction of immune cells, and resulting immunity as well as its suppression.

This work provides a comprehensive review of the role of intravenous immunoglobulins in a wide range of immune-related diseases. Over 20 research workers from America and Europe together examine many important aspects of this subject and, in particular, assess the role of immunoglobulins in the treatment of asthma and allergy, autoimmune disorders, juvenile arthritis and recurrent pregnancy loss.

It is almost axiomatic that an explosive increase in knowledge and interest concerning host immune defense mechanisms and the immune response system in general is occurring. Many new developments are evident at the interphase between the areas of immunology, infectious diseases, and host defenses to microorganisms. It is now widely rec ognized that a functioning host immune defense system consists of a variety of lymphoid cells. These include effector and affector cells consisting of both Band T cells and their progeny. Mononuclear phago cytes which are widely distributed throughout the body are also intimately involved in these processes. These cells are involved not only in the clearance of particulate matter including bacteria, viruses and fungi, but also presumably in host defense against neo plasia. Among the many triumphs of the biological revolution over the past decade or so is the rapidly developing understanding of how these cells and their products, including antibody, lymphokines, monokines, etc. , function and interact. It is now recognized that although the immune defense system is involved in defense against infectious agents, it is also now be coming quite clear that many infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, as well as their products, can interact with the immune response system. For example, it has been long recognized that many of the "adjuvants" which enhance the immune responses in nonspecific ways are derived from microorganisms. Microbial products have marked effects on the immume response system.