The purpose of this book is to disseminate and deliberate on the latest knowledge concerning immunity and its role in protection and fight against microorganism invasion. The articles tackle both humoral and cellular immunity, and their interconnectivity. The former involves B cells that recognize invading pathogens and create the antibody-mediated response, which when memorized provides future immunity. The latter involves mostly T cells, exemplified by cytotoxic or killer cell destroying the pathogens, or helper cells stimulating B cells to produce antibodies to bind and neutralize the pathogens. T cells act through release of cytokines, interleukins, and other bioactive mediators. Neutrophils play a key role in innate immunity against bacterial infections. The process of NETosis is a recently unraveled sophisticated defense mechanism, consisting of the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps that catch, immobilize, and remove pathogens from the body. Dysfunction of immunity is indisputably conducive to the propensity for infections, particularly respiratory tract infections, as the airways are the first line of defense against invading pathogens. Pathogens can rapidly evolve and adapt to avoid detection by the immune system. The case in point is the influenza virus. The articles report on the epidemiology, diagnostics, serology, complications, and the process of acquired immunity due to vaccination against influenza and influenza-like infections in recent epidemic seasons. The book is a blend of medical research and practice. It is intended for academic scientists, research scholars, clinicians, family doctors, and healthcare professionals.

Much research has focused on the basic cellular and molecular biological aspects of stem cells. Much of this research has been fueled by their potential for use in regenerative medicine applications, which has in turn spurred growing numbers of translational and clinical studies. However, more work is needed if the potential is to be realized for improvement of the lives and well-being of patients with numerous diseases and conditions.This book series 'Cell Biology and Translational Medicine (CBTMED)' as part of Springer Nature's longstanding and very successful Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology book series, has the goal to accelerate advances by timely information exchange. Emerging areas of regenerative medicine and translational aspects of stem cells are covered in each volume. Outstanding researchers are recruited to highlight developments and remaining challenges in both the basic research and clinical arenas. This current book is the 17th volume of a continuing series.

This significant book conveys Dr William E Paul's enduring enthusiasm for the field of immunology, the incredible accomplishments of the past half-century, and the future's untapped promises. The immune system has incredible power to protect us from the ravages of infection by killing disease-causing microbes or eliminating them from the body. Boosted by vaccines, it can protect us individually and as a "herd" from diseases such as measles. As Dr Paul explains, however, the power of the immune system is a double-edged sword: an overactive immune system can wreak havoc, destroying normal tissue and causing diseases such as type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. The consequences of an impaired immune system, on the other hand, are all too evident in the clinical agonies of AIDS and other immunodeficiency diseases. Packed with illustrations, stories from Dr Paul's distinguished career, and compelling narratives of scientific discovery, Immunity presents the three laws of the human immune system-universality, tolerance, and appropriateness-and explains how the system protects and harms us. From the tale of how smallpox was overcome to the lessons of the Ebola epidemic to the utility of vaccines and the hope that the immune system can be used to treat or prevent cancer, Dr Paul argues that we must position ourselves to take advantage of cutting-edge technologies and promising new tools in immunological research, including big data and the microbiome.

Proper development and differentiation of B lymphocytes is es sential to ensure that an organism has the ability to mount an effective humoral immune response against foreign antigens. The immune system must maintain a balance between the deletion of harmful self-reactive B cells and the generation of a diverse rep ertoire of B cells that has the ability to recognize an almost un limited array of foreign antigens. The need to delete self-reactive cells is tempered by the need to avoid the generation of large functional holes in the repertoire of foreign antigen-specific B cells that patrol the periphery. To accomplish this, the immune system must reach a compromise by eliminating only the most dangerous autoreactive clones, while allowing less harmful au toreactive B cells to exist in the periphery where they may com plement the organism's ability to mount a rapid response against invading micro-organisms. Those autoreactive cells that do enter the peripheral pool are subject to a number of conditional re straints that effectively attenuate their ability to respond to self antigens. Deleterious alterations in the homeostasis between tolerance induction and recruitment of B cells into the functional repertoire may lead to increased susceptibility to autoimmune disease or infection, respectively. Therefore, delineation of the molecular processes that maintain immunological homeostasis in the B cell compartment is critical."

Infections in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases: Risk Factors and Management, Volume Sixteen describes the state-of-the-art of the risk factors and management treating the most common systemic autoimmune diseases (SADS). This updated volume consists of an introductory chapter that provides a brief overview of what different types of infectious diseases exist, followed by eight chapters detailing risk factors, guidelines and recommendations per different disease and bacterial infections. International in scope, the list of more than 20 contributors from Europa and America reads like a who's who of clinical researchers in the field.

In the last decade, a large number of major discoveries have shed light on the molecular mechanisms of lymphocyte migration and the anatomy of immune responses. In T-Cell Trafficking: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers explore how the development of novel and cutting-edge techniques, particularly in the field of real-time imaging and genetic manipulation, have led to an increased understanding of lymphocyte trafficking. Written by internationally recognized experts in their respective fields, chapters provide state-of-the-art protocols to study lymphocyte migration and T-cell: endothelial cell interactions in vitro, address various approaches used for direct visualization of the development of the lymphoid system, lymphocyte recirculation, and effector responses in experimental models in vivo, and explore lymphocyte migration and inflammation in the human system. Composed in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, each chapter contains a brief introduction, step-by-step methods, a list of necessary materials, and a Notes section which shares tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Innovative and highly practical, T-Cell Trafficking: Methods and Protocols is an essential manual for newcomers in this ever-expanding and exciting area of research, as well as a valuable addition to more specialized laboratories."

Neurovirology is an interdisciplinary field representing a melding of virology, clinical neuroscience, molecular pathogenesis, diagnostic virology, molecular biology, and immunology. Neuroviral Infections: RNA Viruses and Retroviruses presents an up-to-date overview of the general principles of infections and major neuroviral infections caused by RNA viruses and retroviruses. It is designed for virologists, specialists in infectious diseases, teachers of virology, and postgraduate students of medicine, virology, neurosciences, and immunology.

This book explores methods to study the complex and evolving interplay between a virus and its host that range from model systems to the detection of chemical molecules. The collection starts with the application of humanized mice and zebrafish as model organisms to study virus-host interactions and induction of innate immune responses. Subsequent chapters outline diverse methods to detect small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, and virus-derived dsRNA from a variety of cells, tissues, and organisms, as well as to interrogating the cytosolic RNA and DNA sensing pathways, including using RNA PAMPs as molecular tools, purification of cGAMP from virus particles and infected cells, and mechanisms to visualize the subcellular localization and activation of the adaptor proteins MAVS and STING. Cutting-edge methods, including high-throughput and genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screens, chromosome conformation capture, and whole-exome sequencing, are described to identify novel mediators, pathways, and variants underlying host susceptibility. Given the importance of studying these pathways and players under physiologic conditions, methods describing the isolation of primary mouse sensory neurons and group 2 innate lymphoid cells are also provided. Finally, this collection comes full circle back to the whole organism level and concludes with epidemiological methods to investigate virus-host interactions and the induction of innate immunity. Written for the Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Innate Antiviral Immunity: Methods and Protocols spans a diverse array of approaches to study and elucidate the intricacies of this vital area of study. The chapter 'Morphological Separation of Clustered Nuclei in Histological Images' is published open access under a CC BY 4.0 license at link.springer.com.

Cytomegaloviruses are members of the herpesvirus group and can infect humans and other primates. Between 50-80% of adults in developed countries and up to 100% in developing countries are infected with human cytomegalovirus. Infection causes problems in immunocompromised hosts including AIDS victims or patients undergoing organ and stem cell transplantation and congenital infection can cause birth defects in the child. Development of an effective vaccine has high priority. In this book, leading international experts provide comprehensive and authoritative reviews on every aspect of current research. By integrating viral genomics, proteomics, immunology, and molecular biology with the emerging knowledge of the genomics of the host organism, penetrating new insights into the virus-host interaction are provided. The focus of the book is on the molecular and genomic aspects and the authors provide an insight into the current understanding of the subject and the future direction of research

This open access book explores techniques for working in the field of immunogenetics, i.e. fundamental and translational research into the adaptive immune receptor repertoire. Many chapters are dedicated to lab protocols, bioinformatics, and immunoinformatics analysis of high-resolution immunome analysis, exemplified by numerous applications. Additionally, the newest technological variations on these protocols are discussed, including non-amplicon, single-cell, and cell-free strategies. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Immunogenetics: Methods and Protocols covers a broad spectrum of methodologies for applications in research and clinical diagnostics to illustrate the impact that immunogenetics has achieved and will further expand in all fields of medicine, from infection and (auto)immunity, to vaccination, to lymphoid malignancy and tumor immunity.

This book presents the timeline of immunodiagnostics evolution, including advancements in immunological/nucleic acid probes, assay design, labelling techniques, and devices for signal transduction and acquisition. In the past few years, enzyme and nanocatalyst-based immune assays have undergone numerous modifications to enhance their sensitivity and potential for automation. Further, to reduce production costs and the use of laboratory animals, engineering small antibodies and nucleic acid probes (aptamers) has become increasingly popular in the development of novel and powerful bioassays. In light of the notable advancements in immunodiagnostics, this book highlights the combined efforts of clinicians, biotechnologists, material scientists, nanotechnologists and basic scientists in a coherent and highly structured way. The book takes readers on the journey of immunodiagnostic technologies, from their introduction to the present.

This book contains contributions of leading international scientists who participated at the NATO-ASI conference 'Stem cells and their potential for clinical application' that was held in Kiev and Simeiz (Ukraine) from August 23 - 31, 2006. The articles cover a broad range of hot topics in stem cell and leukaemia research. Those include the potential of various stem cell types in regenerative and transplantation medicine, different mechanisms of malignant transformation leading to leukaemia development, as well as novel clinical strategies for malignant disease treatment such as adoptive immunotherapy with gene-modified lymphocytes. The mixture of articles by principal scientists from Northern America, as well as Eastern and Western Europe, provides a comprehensive overview on 'What's going on' in various parts of the world in such broadly discussed fields as 'stem cell research', 'immunotherapy' or 'gene therapy'.

This volume provides an updated collection of protocols for manipulating and studying VEGF signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo and aims to present a range of both firmly established and newly emerging technologies. Covering multiple model species, from mouse to zebrafish to human, the book explores the role of VEGF and VEGFR isoforms in exosomes, cultured cells, or in tissues, as well as robust cell assays for the investigation of basic angiogenic mechanisms and VEGF signaling in more complex cellular systems, amongst other subjects. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, VEGF Signaling: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition provides a useful tool for researchers in the vascular biology community and beyond in understanding the basic biology of VEGF signaling and in translating this research into the clinic.

This volume is a practical biochemical guide to the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), used to detect a target substance in a liquid sample. The ELISA is an important and widely used diagnostic tool in medicine, animal health, botany and quality assurance processes in food and beverage production. An introductory chapter orients the reader on the basic structure and function of immunoglobulins and their fragments while subsequent chapters outline the methodology to generate monoclonal antibodies using hybridoma technology and the general methods used to purify antibodies. Multiple chapters demonstrate how to creatively use the properties of the antibody to identify, localize and quantify target analytes to answer questions and resolve problems. The reader will learn how to use a variety of immunoassay strategies, reporters and detection systems that will undoubtedly facilitate their efforts to gain answers to their own questions. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, ELISA: Methods and Protocols seeks to provide both professionals and novices with the technical information necessary for the reader to successfully use the immunoassay as part of the discovery process.

This book intends to investigate the broad spectrum of genetic changes in immunological processes involved in cutaneous diseases. One of the main goals of immunogenetic studies is finding susceptibility genes for complex diseases. This can provide an insight into the pathogenesis of the condition in a way that is not easily achievable through other kinds of studies. Thus they are a rational initial step for generating hypotheses about disease pathogenesis. This may especially benefit dermatology, a field notorious for having too many diseases with unknown etiologies. Immunogenetic investigations have made targeted treatment strategies possible for diseases such as psoriasis and pemphigus. Even though these strategies have revolutionized the management of chronic dermatological conditions such as psoriasis, still there are a lot of unanswered questions. For instance, psoriasis patients respond very differently to each of the commercially available biological agents. This diversity could be partially explained by the differences in the sets of genes responsible for disease induction in each individual. Thus whole genome sequencing strategies, if feasible at individual levels, might help in tailoring these targeted treatments based on specific genetic backgrounds. Our intention in preparing this book was to explore the broad spectrum of the genetic aspects of immunological processes involved in cutaneous diseases. We have tried to cover most areas of dermatology where enough studies were available to gather a chapter. Still, there is a substantial lack of knowledge on the immunogenetics of many dermatological conditions. We hope that this book would encourage the investigators to fill these gaps of knowledge.

Of recent, the structure of the complement system has received considerable attention, including the publication of several three-dimensional structures of complement proteins. This has led to the need for an authoritative resource to provide a complete overview of the basics, as well as an explanation of the cutting-edge work being accomplished in this emerging science. Structural Biology of the Complement System is devoted to the full exploration of structural aspects of the complement system, with special consideration of the links between molecular structure and function. Containing the work of leading authorities across the disciplines of immunology and structural biology, the book serves both as an introductory volume for newcomers to the field and as a comprehensive reference for established researchers, in particular those whose goal is the discovery of anticomplement drugs. Written in a didactic style, this volume is an appropriate resource for students in the fields of immunology and structural biology. Structural Biology of the Complement System comes with downloadable resources containing color figures, a molecular structure visualization program, and files with three-dimensional coordinates of the structures described in the book. These tools allow readers to perform tailored structural manipulation and analysis, while also serving as a starting point for further research.

This issue of Immunology and Allergy Clinics, guest edited by Drs. Linda S. Cox and Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn, is devoted to Immunotherapy for Aeroallergens, Foods, and Venoms. Articles in this issue include: Mechanism of Immunotherapy: Focus SCIT and SLIT; Subcutaneous Immunotherapy Safety: Incidence per surveys and risk factors; Sublingual Immunotherapy for Other Indications: Venom large local, latex, atopic dermatitis and food; Questions and Controversies regarding venom immunotherapy; Socioeconomics or Comparative Effectiveness of Immunotherapy; Risk Reduction in Peanut Immunotherapy; Food OIT with Adjuvants; Peanut OIT: State of the art; Evolution of Immune Responses in Food Immunotherapy; Safety of Food Oral Immunotherapy: What we know and what we need to learn; Novel Vaccines for Food Allergy; IgG and IgE in Food Allergy - What's the connection?; and Sublingual and Patch Immunotherapy for Food Allergy.

In the field of immunology, type 1 diabetes has become one of the major areas of investigation with studies that span from characterization of key molecules to trials for the prevention of the disease.
Type 1 Diabetes: Molecular, Cellular and Clinical Immunology communicates both the background and the most recent understanding of this disorder, which will almost certainly be central to elucidating the etiology of autoimmunity, and in particular of organ specific autoimmunity. The book covers immunogenetics, immunopathogenesis, epidemiology, disease prediction and clinical application of current knowledge.
Both scientists seeking to understand and prevent type 1 diabetes/autoimmunity as well as physicians caring for families with type 1 diabetes will be interested in this book.

Immunization during pregnancy with currently recommended vaccines prevents infection in the mother, the unborn fetus, and the young infant, and there is an increasing focus from different stakeholders to use this approach for other infections of importance to protect these vulnerable groups. The aim of this Maternal Immunization book is to provide a contemporary overview of vaccines used in pregnancy (and the lactation period), with emphasis on aspects of importance for the target groups, namely, rationale for the use of vaccines in pregnancy, safety, immunogenicity (immunology), timing to vaccinate, repeat doses, protective effects in the mother, fetus, and infant, and public acceptance and implementation, of existing and of future vaccines.

The proper physiological functioning of most eukaryotic cells requires their assembly into multi-cellular tissues that form organized organ systems. Cells of the immune system develop in bone marrow and lymphoid organs, but as the cells mature they leave these organs and circulate as single cells. Antigen receptors (TCRs) of T cells search for membrane MHC proteins that are bound to peptides derived from infectious pathogens or cellular transformations. The detection of such speci?c peptide-MHC antigens initiates T cell activation, adhesion, and immune-effectors functions. Studies of normal and transformed T cell lines and of T cells from transgenic mice led to comprehensive understanding of the mole- lar basis of antigen-receptor recognition and signaling. In spite of these remarkable genetic and biochemical advances, other key physiological mechanisms that par- cipate in sensing and decoding the immune context to induce the appropriate cellular immune responses remain unresolved. TCR recognition is tightly regulated to trigger sensitive but balanced T cell responses that result in the effective elimination of the pathogens while minimizing collateral damage to the host. The sensitivity of TCR recognition has to be properly tempered to prevent unintended activation by self-peptide-MHC complexes that cause autoimmune diseases. It is likely that once the TCR is engaged by a peptide- MHC and TCR signaling begins, additional regulatory mechanisms, involving other receptors, would increase the ?delity of the response.

This book demonstrates that nutrients play a direct role as co-factors and regulators of the immune system. The book also shows that modulating the immune response with nutrients can provide a fundamental approach to preventive medicine.;Containing nearly 2300 bibliographic citations as well as illustrative figures, tables, and micrographs, this book is designed to be of interest to clinical immunologists, immunology and vitamin researchers, nutrition specialists, paediatricians, neonatologists, and upper-level undergraduate, graduate, and medical school students in these disciplines.

Like an army of millions ready to defend its territory, the human immune system acts as the body's primary line of defense-a complex network of interacting cells that protects us from pathogens and other foreign substances. But many components of the immune system exhibit change after prolonged, heavy exertion, indicating that it is suppressed and stressed, albeit transiently, following prolonged endurance exercise. For marathon runners, distance swimmers and any other endurance athlete who undergoes repeated cycles of heavy exertion, a weakened immune system could lead to health complications such as respiratory infection. As a result, interest in various nutrient supplements with the potential to counter exercise-induced immunosuppression has grown. Nutrition and Exercise Immunology reviews the link between nutrition and immune function, with special application to athletic endeavor. Written by respected researchers in sports medicine and exercise immunology, this text covers topics such as carbohydrates and the immune response to prolonged exertion; protein, exercise, and immunity; and vitamins, immunity, and infection risk in athletes. It also takes a look at future directions in nutrition and exercise immunology. For sports medicine professionals, dietitians, nutritionists, exercise immunologists, as well as endurance athletes, Nutrition and Exercise Immunology provides an important and in-depth look into this exciting, new area of scientific research.

Basic and clinical scientists with an interest in how cytokines regulate the production of antibody, and the selective expression of distinct antibody classes in response to microbial and other antigenic challenges, now have a single, comprehensive and timely volume covering this complex field. Cytokine Regulation of Humoral Immunity: Basic and Clinical Aspects uniquely focuses on the impact of the cytokine network on the humoral immune response, as well as its implications for the evolving field of cytokine-based medical therapeutics. With introductory chapters on basic B lymphocyte biology, a systematic and detailed review of the major B cell active cytokines, and discussions on cytokine regulation of normal and pathogenic humoral immune states, this highly referenced book will serve as a valuable source of information for both students and seasoned investigators active in multiple branches of basic and clinical immunology.

Before the arrival of penicillin in the 1940s, phage therapy was one of the few weapons doctors had against bacterial infections. It saved the life of Hollywood legend Tom Mix before being abandoned by Western science. Now, researchers and physicians are rediscovering the treatment, which pits phage viruses against their natural bacterial hosts, as a potential weapon against antibiotic-resistant infections. The Forgotten Cure traces the story of phages from Paris, where they were discovered in 1917; to Tbilisi, Georgia, where one of phage therapy's earliest proponents died at the hands of Stalin; to the Nobel podium, where prominent scientists have been recognized for breakthroughs stemming from phage research. Today, a crop of biotech startups and dedicated physicians is racing to win regulatory approval for phage therapy before superbugs exhaust the last drug in the medical arsenal. Will they clear the hurdles in time?