Download or read book Handbook of Immune Response Genes written by Tak W. Mak and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2007-07-27 with total page 402 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
Download or read book The Immune System written by Eli E. Sercarz and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2013-09-11 with total page 657 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Immune System: Genes Receptors, Signals provides information pertinent to the complexity of immune mechanisms. This book describes the immune response genes and products, which point to another multigene system controlling immune responsiveness. Organized into 37 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the details of antibody structure that continue to be of importance to an understanding of the regulation of the immune reactions. This text then examines the evidence that individual antibody species are capable of binding many structurally dissimilar haptens. Other chapters consider the conceptual framework generally accepted by immunologists, which states that antibodies are specific for the antigen used to elicit the immune response. This book discusses as well the mechanism underlying the biosynthesis of antibody binding sites, which is unprecedented in its adaptability. The final chapter deals with the genetic controls of specific immune responses. This book is a valuable resource for immunologists and research workers.
Download or read book Genetics of the Immune Response written by Erna Moller and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-03-08 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The 55th Nobel Symposium entitled "Genetics of the Immune Response" took place in Saltsjobaden, Sweden, June 15 - 17, 1982. The topic was selected for several reasons, such as the rapid progress in the genetic analysis of immunoglobulin and MHC genes and the elucidation of the mechanism of switch to different immunoglobulin classes and subclasses. The genetic advances formed a basis for discussions of problems relating to regulation of T cell subsets, mechanisms of activation and regulation of B cell differentiation and an analysis of the network hypothesis. The format of the symposium was arranged so as to include two sessions in the morning and two in the afternoon. Each session was introduced by one speaker, followed by free discussion. The intro ductory lectures are included in the proceedings. The participants summarized their contributions to the discussion in written form. In addi tion to the closed sessions, there was one open session at the Karolinska Institute with lectures by Drs. L. Hood, C. Milstein, D. Baltimore, J. Klein and B. Benacerraf, which are not included in these procee din gs. The symposium was sponsored by the Nobel Foundation and its Nobel Symposium Committee through grants from the Tercentenary Fund of the Bank of Sweden and the Knut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The Swedish Medical Research Council, the Swedish Cancer Society and the Swedish Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs also made contri butions.
Download or read book Genetic Control of Immune Responsiveness written by Hugh Mcdevitt and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2012-12-02 with total page 490 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
Download or read book Approaches to Blocking the Immune Response to Gene Transfer with Viral Vectors written by Katherine High and published by Frontiers E-books. This book was released on with total page 96 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Viral vectors are superior tools for gene therapy and as a genetic vaccine platform because viruses have evolved to efficiently infect and transfer their genomes to cells. Several impressive successes in viral vector-based gene therapies have been reported in humans, including restoration of vision in patients with Leber’s congenital amaurosis by retinal gene transfer and cures for severe immune deficiencies by gene transfer to hematopoietic stem cells. However, the mammalian immune system has evolved in parallel to fend off invading pathogens such as viruses. Innate and antigen-specific adaptive immune responses against viral vectors and therapeutic transgene products pose serious hurdles for successful gene therapy. Pre-existing immunity in humans, resulting from prior exposure to the parent virus that forms the basis for the gene transfer vehicle may be derived from, often prevents efficient gene transfer. This problem also reduces our ability to use certain vectors for genetic vaccination or in anti-cancer therapy. For these reasons, the gene transfer community has been extensively studying the mechanisms of immune responses against viral vectors and has started to develop strategies and protocols to block or circumvent such responses. Choice, design and engineering of a vector as well as the route of administration/target tissue can be optimized/ altered to minimize immune responses or evade pre-existing immunity. Immune suppression and modulation strategies are being developed in order to minimize inflammation, prevent antibody or T cell responses against vectors, and to promote tolerance to therapeutic gene products. Combinations of these approaches will likely facilitate clinical applications of gene therapy for many target diseases and also aid in vaccine development.
Download or read book Decoding the Genomic Control of Immune Reactions written by Gregory R. Bock and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2007-04-04 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores existing and potential strategies for using the genome sequences of human, mouse, other vertebrates and human pathogens to solve key problems in the treatment of immunological diseases and chronic infections. The assembled genome sequences now provide important opportunities for solving these problems, but a major bottleneck is the identification of key sequences and circuits controlling the relevant immune reactions. This will require innovative, interdisciplinary and collaborative strategies of a scale and complexity we are only now beginning to comprehend. Specific problems addressed include the following: What kinds of information are we lacking to understand how the genome sequence specifies the differentiation and response of immune system cells, and system behaviour such as immunological memory and tolerance? Which genome sequences and cellular circuits cause or prevent pathological immune responses to foreign pathogens, allergens or self-tissues? Which host and pathogen genome sequences and cellular circuits explain the failure of sterilizing immune responses to sophisticated human pathogens such as the agents of tuberculosis, malaria, metazoan parasites and chronic viruses? Containing contributions from a range of leading experts in the field, this book provides an important new perspective for clinical immunologists and basic researchers alike.
Download or read book The Past and the Future of Human Immunity Under Viral Evolutionary Pressure written by Gkikas Magiorkinis and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2019-12-04 with total page 186 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There is a long-standing evolutionary battle between viruses and their hosts that continues to be waged. The evidence of this conflict can be found on both sides, with the human immune system being responsive to new viral challenges and viruses having developed often sophisticated countermeasures. The “arms race” between viruses and hosts can be thought as an example of the “Red Queen” race, an evolutionary hypothesis inspired from the dialogue of Alice with the Red Queen in Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking-Glass”. At the same time, viruses have a minimal genomic content as they have evolved to hitchhike biological machinery of their hosts (or other co-infecting viruses). The minimalistic viral genome could be thought as the result of a “Black Queen” evolution, a theory inspired from the card game Heart, where the winner is the one with the fewest points at the end. The effects of this arms race are evident in the evolution of the human immune system. This system is capable of responding to diverse viral challenges, utilizing both the ancient innate immune system and the more recently evolved adaptive immune system of jawed vertebrates. It is now well-known that the two systems are linked, with innate immunity hypothesized to have provided raw material for the emergence of the adaptive immune response. The adaptive immune response comprises several protein families (including B and T cell receptors, MHC and KIR proteins, for example) that are encoded by complex and variable genomic regions. This complexity enables for responsive genetic changes to occur in immune cells, such as the ability of genomic hypervariable regions in B cells to recombine in order to produce more specific antibodies. Indeed, the human immune system is thought to be continually evolving via various mechanisms such as changes in the genes encoding immune receptors and the regulatory sequences that control their expression. For example, there is some evidence that exogenous viral infections can alter the expression of endogenous retroviruses, some of which contribute to the immune response. Viral countermeasures can include encoding decoy receptors for the signalling molecules of the immune response, altering the gene expression of adaptive immune cells during chronic infection or using host enzymes to facilitate viral immune escape. As the articles herein show, the immune system continues to be challenged by viral infections and these challenges continue to shape how the immune system combats pathogens, thus viruses and human immunity are continuously part of “Red and Black Queen” evolutionary dynamics. We had the pleasure of working with Jonas Blomberg as a reviewer during the course of the Research Topic and his untimely passing was a great loss. Prof. Blomberg made significant contributions, including to the nomenclature of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), the evolution and characterization of specific human ERV (HERV) and the contribution of ERVs to diseases such as cancer. It is with great respect for his contributions to the ERV field that we dedicate this eBook to his memory.
Download or read book Changing Views of the Evolution of Immunity written by Gary W. Litman and published by Frontiers E-books. This book was released on 2014-01-22 with total page 131 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The multitude of cells, signaling pathways, receptors, novel genetic recombination mechanisms and interactive pathways of receptor function and cell differentiation that constitute the vertebrate adaptive immune system are integrally linked with the multicomponent innate immune system. At first glance, the levels of complexity seen in both systems at the phylogenetic level of mammals present what seem to be insurmountable hurdles in terms of achieving a systematic understanding of the evolution of immunity. New research directions and approaches suggest that resolution of many long-standing questions in this area is now possible. Historically, immunologists considered lower vertebrates and invertebrates as “simpler” forms, i.e., they were expected to possess more basic (less layered) levels of immunological complexity and thus potentially would serve as important resources. By considering the systematic placement of representative species in the context of phylogeny, characterizing their immune receptors, co-receptors as well as accessory molecules and evaluating responses to immunologic stimuli, it was thought that a clearer picture of immune evolution would emerge. There is no doubt that this approach has achieved some notable successes but for the most part it has fallen short in terms of achieving a broad understanding of the immunologic needs of many relevant models and how adaptive change in immune function is effected. Even if a structurally relevant ortholog of an immune effector is identified in a model organism, there is no reason to assume that it functions in a corresponding manner in disparate phylogenetic taxa. For example, survival of a sessile marine invertebrate, whose anatomical form puts it in open and contiguous contact with a literal sea of microorganisms and viruses, would be thought to depend, at least in part, on a “capable” immune response; however, at present, we have no real understanding of how this is achieved in an integrated manner. Furthermore, questions arise as to whether or not phenomena that are considered integral components of vertebrate-type immunity such as memory, tolerance, somatic change and clonal selection exist in invertebrates and if their functions parallel those recognized in mammals. More often than not, our interpretations are guided by preconceived notions that are based on observations made in distant species that often do not apply to far- removed taxa. We anticipate that major advances in our understanding of this broad subject are now forthcoming as resources exist or are being developed for examining important model organisms in their natural environments instead of within the confines of in vitro systems of potentially remote physiological significance. Taking a wide range of hypotheses, observations and interpretations into account, in this special topic, contributors have developed a comprehensive overview emphasizing new directions and interpretations for understanding basic aspects of immunity that consider unique features inherent to various model systems, their life histories and habitats. Approaches applied with key model organisms maintained and confronted with relevant challenges under natural conditions are emphasized. Current concepts of self and nonself are addressed not only in terms of immunity but also reproductive fitness. How genetic variation in immune effector molecules is achieved and maintained in natural populations is examined; particular attention is directed to response interfaces that factor in symbiotic interactions. Gene expansion and mechanisms of genetic diversification are explored. How diverse molecules and a variety of effector cells contribute to our broad understanding of the evolution of a remarkably complex, integrated system and how this work is facilitating our understanding of mammalian immunity is addressed.
Download or read book Invertebrate Immunity written by Kenneth Söderhäll and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2011-06-28 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It can be seen that the insects are the still attracting most research and researchers. However, an increasing interest is emerging to study new invertebrate groups, especially those where the genome is known. Even though Drosophila has been and still is an excellent model for immune studies, it is now clear that there are great differences between immune responses in Drosophila and that of several other invertebrates, which indeed calls for more research on other invertebrates
Download or read book Signaling and Gene Expression in the Immune System written by and published by CSHL Press. This book was released on 1999 with total page 621 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Provides a dialogue on the nature of the membrane signals and intracytoplasmic events that provoke immunity. The debate ranges over biochemistry, physiology, molecular genetics, as well as classical cellular immunology. Input came from over 70 of the world's leading investigators.
Download or read book Janeway s Immunobiology written by Kenneth Murphy and published by Garland Science. This book was released on 2010-06-22 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
Download or read book Regulation of Immune Gene Expression written by Marc Feldmann and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 347 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book encompasses the proceedings of a conference held at Trinity College, Oxford on September 21-25, 1985 organized by a committee comprised of Drs. M. Crumpton, M. Feldmann, A. McMichael, and E. Simpson, and advised by many friends and colleagues. The immune response gene workshops that took place were based on the need to understand why certain experimental animal strains were high responders and others were low responders. It was assumed that identification of the immune response (Ir) genes and definition of their products would explain high and low responder status. Research in the ensuing years has identified the Ir gene products involved in antibody responses as the la antigens, or MHC Class II antigens. These proteins are now well defined as members of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily, and their domain structure is known. Epitopes have been defined by multiple mono clonal antibodies and regions of hypervariability identified. Their genes have been identified and cloned. The basic observation of high and low responsive ness to antigen is still not understood in mechanistic terms, however, at either the cellular or molecular level. This is because the rate of progress in immune regulation has been far slower than in the molecular biology of the MHC Class II antigens. This is not surprising, since immune regulation is a very complex field at the crossroads of many disciplines.
Download or read book Biological Regulation and Development written by Robert F. Goldberger and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-11-21 with total page 318 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The motivation for us to conceive this series of volumes on regulation was mainly our belief that it would be fun, and at the same time productive, to approach the subject in a way that differs from that of other treatises. We thought it might be interesting and instructive for both author and reader-to examine a particular area of investigation in a framework of many different problems. Cutting across the traditional boundaries that have separated the subjects in past volumes on regulation is not an easy thing to do-not because it is difficult to think of what interesting topics should replace the old ones, but because it is difficult to find authors who are willing to write about areas outside those pursued in their own laboratories. Anyone who takes on the task of reviewing a broad area of interest must weave together its various parts by picking up the threads from many different laboratories, and attempt to produce a fabric with a meaningful design. Finding persons who are likely to succeed in such a task was the most difficult part of our job. In the first volume of this treatise, most of the chapters dealt with the mechanisms of The second volume involved a somewhat regulation of gene expression in microorganisms. broader area, spanning the prokaryotic-eukaryotic border. Topics ranged from phage mor phogenesis to the role of gradients in development. The last volume-Volume 3A-con cerned hormones, as does this volume-Volume 3B.
Download or read book The Role of Products of the Histocompatibility Gene Complex in Immune Responses written by David H. Katz and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2014-06-28 with total page 803 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Role of Products of the Histocompatibility Gene Complex in Immune Responses documents the proceedings of a conference held on 3-7 November 1975, which brought together an international group of scientists spanning three independent disciplines—genetics and immunogenetics, molecular biochemistry, and immunobiology—with clinical medicine overlapping these disciplines. This volume contains 42 papers organized according to the eight sessions held at the conference. The papers in Session I examined the genetics of the major histocompatibility complex. Session II presented studies on the biology of mixed lymphocyte interactions and cell-mediated cytotoxicity reactions. Session III discussed immune response gene systems while Session IV dealt with the genetic control of cell interactions. The papers in Session V covered idiotypic determinants on T cell receptors. Session VI investigated the properties of histocompatibility gene products involved in regulation of immune responses. Session VII focused on the biochemistry and immunocytology of cell surface products of the major histocompatibility complex. Finally, Session VIII discussed interrelationships between products of the major histocompatibility complex and their relevance to disease.
Download or read book Understanding Crohn s Disease Immunity Genes and Microbes written by Amélia Sarmento and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2017-08-11 with total page 128 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory bowel disease resulting in considerable morbidity and reduced quality of life. Although still under intense debate, CD seems to result from an enhanced and uncontrolled immune response to the gut microbiota. CD is thought to be multifactorial depending on genetic and environmental determinants. In recent years, nearly 100 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with increased risk of developing CD (some of the SNPs also associated with susceptibility to ulcerative colitis, another type of IBD). These SNPs are mostly located in genes involved in innate and adaptive immunity mechanisms, such as autophagy, expression of pattern-recognition receptors and citokine signaling. Epigenetics is also probably playing a role in CD susceptibility, as it is sensitive to environmental conditions and may mediate gene-environment interactions. Environmental factors possibly involved in CD development include diet, gut microbiota composition and infection with specific pathogens, of which the most consistently associated to CD are Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and adherent-invasive Escherichia coli. This Topic aimed at bringing together contributions covering different genetic, epigenetic, immunological and microbial processes involved in the development of CD, helping to drive forward the understanding of CD immunopahtology.
Download or read book Ir Genes written by Carl W. Pierce and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 574 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Fifth Ir Gene Workshop was held at the Chase-Park Plaza Hotel, St. Louis, MO, August 28-31, 1982; 240 scientists participated in the Workshop. The man uscripts compiled in this book describe the state of the art concerning Ir genes. Although the notion of Ir Genes: Past, Present, and Future has not been ad dressed specifically by each author, the reader is certain to get this flavor from the contributions. In this Preface, we have tried to summarize some of the salient ob servations and discussions from the Workshop. The mUltiple genes of the I region have been defined traditionally by serolog ical analysis of intra-H-2 recombinant mice and the pattern of immune responses to certain antigens developed by these recombinant mice. The application of sev eral new techniques, such as gene cloning and DNA sequencing, production of T and B cell hybridomas, and development of cloned T cell lines has changed this tradition and introduced a new phase into the analysis of the I region, Ia antigens, and Ir genes.
Download or read book Innate Immunity written by Jonathan Ewbank and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008 with total page 466 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Immunologists today are interested in all of the diverse cell-types involved in host defense and have a deeper appreciation of the importance of innate immune mechanisms as a first line of protection against pathogens. This volume thus discusses the isolation and functional characterization of cells involved in innate immunity in mouse and man, including mast cells and eosinophils. Other focuses include natural killer cells, methods in statistics, in vivo imaging, genome engineering, and mutagenesis and culture that are adapted to the study of innate immunity in these hosts. These are complemented with a series of chapters dealing with alternative models: plants, worms, mosquitoes, flies, and fish. Together, these approaches and models are being used to dissect the complex interplay between hosts and pathogens and contribute to developing strategies to help fight infection. With chapters written by experts on the cutting-edge of this technology, Innate Immunity is an essential reference for immunologists, histologists, geneticists, and molecular biologists.
