"Natural Immunity" is a broadly-based account of the activities of the evolutionarily conserved molecules, cells and processes of the natural immune system. This encompasses the early host protection against microbes (bacteria and viruses) and tumours, prior to the generation of the adaptive immune response, diverse major current pathologies including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and key roles in essential physiological processes such as reproduction and wound healing.
* The first comprehensive book on natural immunity
* Reviews new topics, effects of behaviour, aging, and exercise, and diet on natural immunity
* Highlights the physiological role of natural immunity
* Focuses on the relationship of the neuroendocrine system with natural immunity
* Brings together the diversity and complexity of natural immune system activity

Autoimmune diseases are diverse and responsible for considerable morbidity. Their etiology remains largely unknown, and current therapy with anti-inflammatory drugs is prone to adverse effects, and rarely curative. New therapies with anti-cytokine antibodies or receptors are promising, but require frequent administration of expensive protein drugs.

Gene Therapy of Autoimmune Diseases comprehensively reviews research in gene therapy for autoimmune diseases with viral or non-viral vectors. Gene therapy offers the possibility of long-term, continuous delivery of a wide variety of immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, or tolerance-inducing agents. Moreover, highly specific genetically modified cells can be produced. This book discusses the most promising avenues in this exciting new field.

The currently available means of combating fungal infections are weak and clumsy. The application of fungal genomics offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop novel antifungal drugs. Interestingly, several novel antifungal drug targets have already been identified and validated. However, it is premature to expect a novel antifungal agent in clinical setting as drug discovery programs are still in their infancy. In addition to classical and genomic approaches to drug discovery, treasure trove based on natural products and phytomedicine can provide a multitude of alternative modes of combating fungal infection. This book incisively addresses essential topics on various aspects pertaining to fungal diseases in human and animals, their reservoir, fungal pathogenesis, their management and recent advances in their treatment. Issues of antifungal drug toxicity, especially nephrotoxicity, are also discussed. The development of resistance in fungal pathogens, including multidrug resistance and its mechanism, is dealt with in two chapters. Diverse diagnostic approaches to fungal infections are also reviewed. The combinational drug strategies used in combating invasive fungal infections are addressed in detail. The management of pulmonary mycoses in stem cell transplantation is also given special focus. Novel antifungal drugs (synthetic and herbal), fungal vaccines, and metabolic pathways as drug targets are discussed in detail in three different chapters. Subsequently the roles of innate immunity, cytokine therapy and immunomodulators in the treatment of fungal infections are elaborated upon. As novel drug delivery systems have a great potential for modifying the pharmacokinetics of medications, the last chapter takes this fact into consideration in its examination of state-of-the-art delivery systems in controlling fungal infections.

Most of the diseases of modern mankind involve either acute or chronic inflammation. Measuring Immunity integrates the current information available on biomarkers and surrogate assays into a single handbook. It highlights the principles behind various applications, gives a brief summary on how they are conducted and provides detailed and critical analyses of murine models of immunity, clinical trials, and tests to predict utility and benefit. Measuring Immunity is indispensable for scientists and clinicians interested in the clinical applications of modern immunobiology.
* Defines which assays of immune function are helpful in the assessment of clinical disorders involving inflammation and immunity
* Assesses the dynamics of cellular and soluble factors in the peripheral blood using modern techniques
* Includes basic science foundations as well as the approaches currently applied

Systemic autoimmune diseases can affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems in a myriad of ways and through a heterogeneous number of mechanisms leading to many different clinical manifestations. As a result, neurological complications of these disorders can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Advances in the diagnosis, laboratory investigations, and management of these conditions has placed an increasing burden on the practicing clinician to correctly assess and treat these patients.
This volume of the Handbook of the Systemic Autoimmune Diseases will help the clinician and researcher better understand the current concepts of nervous system involvement from systemic autoimmune disorders, recognize current approaches to diagnosis and treatment, current controversies, and areas that need significant research efforts. It is believed that providing this approach in a single volume will facilitate its use as a frequent resource for all those caring for or investigating these patients and their diseases.
Each chapter follows a consistent outline to provide the reader with important and useful information in an easy-to-navigate manner and is also liberally referenced to provide more primary source material for further consideration. The standardized approach to each chapter will allow the reader to be able to compare and contrast more efficiently the neurological complications of the autoimmune diseases discussed.

Advances in Immunology presents current developments as well as comprehensive reviews in immunology. Articles address the wide range of topics that comprise immunology, including molecular and cellular activation mechanisms, phylogeny and molecular evolution, and clinical modalities. Edited and authored by the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research.
* Interactions between NK Cells and B Lymphocytes
* Multitasking of helix-loop-helix proteins in lymphopoiesis
* The pathogenesis of Diabetes in the NOD Mouse

This comprehensive, interdisciplinary book covers different aspects of relevant human pathogens and commensals. The ongoing development of (meta-)genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and bioinformatic analyses of pathogenic and commensal microorganisms and their host interaction provides a comprehensive introduction to the microbiological analysis of host-microbe interplay and its consequences for infection or commensalism.

This brilliant synthesis summarizes all of the recent accomplishments as well as the ongoing research in the field of composite tissue transplantation. It includes sections on hand transplantation and vascularized bone marrow transplantation. The volume focuses on immunology and the biotechnology/bioengineering aspects of transplantation surgery, as those two areas have demonstrated the most growth within the last five years in terms of current research.

This two-volume work covers the molecular and cell biology, genetics and evolution of influenza viruses, the pathogenesis of infection, resultant host innate and adaptive immune response, prevention of infection through vaccination and approaches to the therapeutic control of infection.. Experts at the forefront of these areas provide critical assessments with regard to influenza virology, immunology, cell and molecular biology, and pathogenesis. Volume I provides overviews of the latest findings on molecular determinants of viral pathogenicity, virus entry and cell tropism, pandemic risk assessment, transmission and pathogenesis in animal species, viral evolution, ecology and antigenic variation, while Volume II focuses on the role of innate and adaptive immunity in pathogenesis, development of vaccines and antivirals.

This first thematic issue, of the Advances in Immunology series, highlights the remarkable new insights into the mechanisms that govern development and function of T cell lineages. Recent developments in the understanding of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate development of the two major T cell lineages will have a fundamental impact on a number of research fields -immunology, cell biology, hematology and stem cell research. All of these groups have a vested interest in comprehending issues such as stem cell self renewal, progenitor plasticity, lineage commitment and cellular identity. Immunologists have a special interest in the mechanisms that allow selection of a T cell repertoire whose members integrate genetic information for T cell receptor, co-receptor and specialized immunologic function, since this process lies at the core of adaptive immunity.
T Cell Subsets is a timely and invaluable review for immunologists, cell biologists hematologists and stem cell researchers

This collection seeks to elucidate the practical methods necessary for successful adjuvant development, with a particular focus on the synthesis, formulation, manufacturing, and characterization aspects involved. Beginning with an overview and a case study, the book then delves into in silico design, chemical synthesis, biosynthesis, and/or purification from natural raw materials of specific adjuvant molecules, adjuvant formulation approaches, the analytical characterization of adjuvant formulations and adjuvant-containing vaccines, as well as the biological characterization of vaccine adjuvant activity, including in vitro and in vivo approaches, to measure innate and adaptive immune responses. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology format, 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. Practical and authoritative, Vaccine Adjuvants: Methods and Protocols aims to facilitate vaccine adjuvant product development efforts, making them more accessible, manufacturable, and better characterized.

"Immuno Systems Biology" aims to study the immune system in the more integrated manner on how cells and molecules participate at different system levels to the immune function. Through this bookKumar Selvarajoointroduces to physicists, chemists, computer scientists, biologists and immunologists the idea of an integrated approach to the understanding of mammalian immune system. Geared towards a researcher with limited immunological and computational analytical experience, the book provides a broad overview to the subject and some instruction in basic computational, theoretical and experimental approaches. The book links complex immunological processes with computational analysis and emphasizes the importance of immunology to themammalian system. "

Advances in Immunology presents current developments as well as comprehensive reviews in immunology. Articles address the wide range of topics that comprise immunology, including molecular and cellular activation mechanisms, phylogeny and molecular evolution, and clinical modalities. Edited and authored by the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research.

This book offers an overview of our current understanding of host defense peptides and their potential for clinical applications as well as some of the obstacles to this. The chapters, written by leading experts in the field, detail the number and diversity of host defense peptides, and discuss the therapeutic potential not only of antibacterial, but also of antifungal, antiviral, plant antimicrobial and anticancer host defense peptides. The authors provide new insights into their mechanisms of action and their immunomodulatory properties, and review recent advances in the design of novel therapeutic molecules. Lastly, their potential to prevent preterm births and Staphylococcus aureus infections is highlighted. The book is of interest to researchers, industry and clinicians alike.

The inducible isoforms of the enzymes cyclooxygenase (COX 2), nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) have generated great interest as possible therapeutic targets in inflammation. This book is the first publication to address the importance of all three enzymes and the consequences of their interactions to the inflammatory process. The book brings together overviews by leading researchers in the field of the current status of knowledge of COX, NOS and HO in inflammation. These overviews cover a series of new concepts in the mechanism of inflammation. Topics include inducible enzyme involvement in inflammatory processes including the role in vascular permeability, leukocycte migration, granuloma formation, angiogenesis, neuroinflammation and algesia. New findings from transgenic animal models are reviewed. Other chapters address the importance of these enzymes in inflammatory disease states including rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis and multiple sclerosis. The possibility of selective inhibitors or inducers of COX, NOS and HO, and their use in the clinic is discussed. The subject matter of this book is of interest to rheumatologists, pathologists, pharmacologists, neuroscientists and anyone with an academic interest in the mechanisms of inflammation.

Volume 81 of Advances in Immunology contains articles on a vast range of immunology topics including the regulation of the immune response by the interaction of chemokines and proteases as well as roles of the Semaphorin Family in immune regulation. It has a chapter devoted to B Lymphoid Neoplasms of Mice and another on the Zebrafish as a model organism to study development of the immune system. This volume will be of interest to immunologists in all industries.
* Edited by a new editor, Frederick W. Alt
* Covers molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction
* Discusses prions and the immune system

Echinostomes are medically- and veterinary-important parasitic flatworms that invade humans, domestic animals and wildlife and also parasitize in their larval stages numerous invertebrate and cold-blooded vertebrate hosts. The interest in echinostomes in parasitology and general biology comes from several areas: (1) Human infections; (2) Experimental models; (3) Animal infections; (4) Systematics. The application of novel techniques is moving the echinostomes to the frontline of parasitology in fields such as systematics, immunobiology in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms and proteomics among others. The Biology of Echinostomes demonstrates the application of new techniques to a group of trematodes that may serve to obtain information of great value in parasitology and general biology. The book includes basic topics, such as biology and systematics, as well as more novel topics, such as immunobiology, proteomics, and genomics of echinostomes. The authors of each chapter emphasize their content with: (i) the most novel information obtained; (ii) analysis of this information in a more general context (i.e. general parasitology); and (iii) future perspectives in view of the information presented. The subjects are analyzed from a modern point of view, considering aspects such as applications of novel techniques and an analysis of host-parasite interactions.

Mechanisms of Lymphocyte Activation and Immune Regulation X: Innate Immunity is the proceedings of the Xth International Conference on Mechanisms of Lymphocyte Activation and Immune Regulation: Innate Immunity, held February 6-8, 2004 in Newport Beach, California. It is the tenth volume of its kind to appear in the series Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. Topics include toll receptors, dendritic cells, NK cells, and complement receptors.

Scientific interest in regulatory T cells has revived during the last decade. Initially described in the early seventies as suppressor T cells, the concept of suppressor/regulatory T cells went through turbulent times during the eighties when molecular analysis failed to identify putative suppressor genes. The constructive and elegant cellular experiments on regulatory T cells during the nineties, initiated by Shimon Sakaguchi and co-workers, however have brought these cells back into the limelight. Nowadays, regulatory T cells are regarded as essential components of the immune system, and several different subsets of regulatory T cells have been described. Considerable regulatory function has been attributed to the CD4+CD25+ T cell subset. These cells act by suppressing adaptive and possibly also innate immune responses thereby maintaining or restoring the balance between immunity and tolerance. The suppressive effects of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells are cell-contact dependent but a role for soluble factors, particularly in vivo, has been suggested as well.
The aim of this book is to bring together recent developments and viewpoints in the field of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and to discuss the potential use of regulatory T cells in immunotherapy of inflammatory diseases. By linking data on regulatory T cells from experimental models with recent findings from the clinic, this topical book will be of interest to immunologists and other biomedical researchers as well as clinicians that are interested in regulation and manipulation of the immune response during (chronic) inflammatory disease.

Over the past several years, a high diversity of regulatory cells and suppressive molecules has taken centre stage in the field of immunoregulation. In Suppression and Regulation of Immune Responses: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers highlight recent advances in the identification, characterization, and generation of regulatory cells not only of the T cell lineage but also of other origins such as B, NK, myeloid, and dendritic cells, as well as the role of several suppressive molecules in immunoregulation. Particular emphasis is placed on the characterization of the molecular mechanisms and the therapeutic applications of regulatory cells and molecules in human diseases. Written as a volume in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series, this work provides the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Suppression and Regulation of Immune Responses: Methods and Protocols serves as a key reference for scientists seeking a way toward greater control over the enormous power of the complex and vital immune system.

This volume covers topics in infectious diseases in children and is intended for Pediatric Infectious Disease trainees, trainers, and all those who manage children with infections. There is a balance of clinical basic science. In response to numerous requests, additional tropical topics are covered in some depth. As in previous volumes, the emphasis is on hot topics of clinical relevance delivered by world class speakers.

Immunology of Infection, 2nd Edition, edited by two leading experts in the field, presents the most appropriate up-to-date experimental approaches in the detail required for modern microbiological research. Focusing on the methods most useful for the Microbiologist interested in analysing host-pathogen relationships, this volume will be essential reading for all researchers working in microbiology, immunology, virology, mycology and parasitology.
This new edition of Immunology of Infection provides ready-to-use "recipes," and the latest emerging techniques as well as novel approaches to the tried and tested, established methods included in the successful first edition.
Methods in Microbiologyis the most prestigious series devoted to techniques and methodology in the field. Established for over 30 years, Methods in Microbiology will continue to provide you with tried and tested, cutting edge protocols to directly benefit your research.
Key Features:
* Includes techniques for genome-wide expression profiling of both the pathogen and host and of the host response to infection
* Cytometric analysis of cytokine secretion by immune cells
* Describes tetramer technology for the quantitative analysis of antigen specific T cell responses
* analysis of host cells and pathogens involved in the host-microbe interplay
* Covers techniques useful for the analysis of human and murine systems
* Includes techniques for the prediction and determination of MHC ligands and T cell epitopes
* Covers the fundamentals and practice of DNA vaccines
* Describes methods for the isolation and propagation of human dendritic cells

Controversy still exists regarding how early disease-modifying agents (DMA) should be commenced and whether all patients with relapsing-remitting MS should in fact be treated. To answer these questions, it is also important to know the natural history of the disease. MS affects nearly 400,000 people in the United States. With their novel, multifaceted approach to basic science, the authors of this book offer help to clinicians and hope to patients.

This volume focuses on IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), a novel clinical entity involving multiple organs and of unknown origin, associated with the abundant infiltration of IgG4-positive cells. It consists of nine chapters written by prominent experts in the field and discusses the disease concept, diagnosis and treatment, as well as recent findings on its pathogenesis and pathophysiology. As such, it offers an invaluable source of information for researchers and clinicians alike.