Wolf's discovery demonstrating that a reporter gene is expressed in myocytes subsequent to injection of naked DNA, was exploited by immunologists and vaccinologists to develop a new generation of vaccines. This observation galvanized the research and in a short lapse of time, an oceanic volume of knowledge has been accumulated. The research carried out in a variety of animal models showed the efficacy of genetic immunization against viruses, bacteria, and some parasites by the ability to induce a strong priming effect resulting from long-lasting persistence of plasmid as episomes. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that newborn or infant immune unresponsiveness to classical vaccines can be corrected by genetic immunization. The applications of genetic immunization for prophylaxis of infections was extended to immunotherapy, namely, cancerous, auto immune, and allergic diseases. Immunologists have provided pertinent information on the cellular basis of the immune responses elicited by genetic immunization, and molecular biologists have established the molecular basis of intrinsic adjuvant properties of plasmids."

The goal of this book is to present findings which are supportive of the concept that the words of the idiotype dictionary and likewise self-recognition are essential for communication between lymphocyte clones while some unfaithful ( infidel ) copies of the words contained in the idiotype dictionary perhaps play a role in the functional regulation of nonlymphoid cells.

Contents:
1. IL-1/IL-18 Family of Cytokines and Receptors 2. IL-2, IL-15 and Their Receptors 3. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor: Part of a Large Ingathering Family 4. Cytokines in Hematopoiesis 5. IL-4 and IL-13: Commonalities and Differences 6. Biological and Molecular Characteristics of IL-5 and Its Receptor 7. IL-6 and Its Receptors 8. TNF and TNF Receptor Superfamily 9. Genetic Deificiency in TNF Receptor 10. IL-7, a Non-Redundant Potent Cytokine Whose Over-Expression Massively Perturbs B-Lymphopoiesis 11. IL-7 Knock Out Mice Implications for Lymphopoiesis and Organ-Specific Immunity 12. Lymphocyte Responses to Chemokines 13. IL-9 and Its Receptor: From Structure To Function 14. IL-10 As a Key Regulator of Inflammation and Stress Responses 15. Proinflammatory and Immunoregulatory Functions of IL-12 16. Signaling and Functional Properties of IL-16 17. Interleukin-17 18. Spanning Innate and Adaptive Immunity: A Role for IL-18 19. The Role of Interferon G in Experimental Autoimmune Disease 20. Type I Interferons 21. TGF-b: From Gene Targetin g to Gene Therapy 22. Cytokine Receptors: Structures and Signal Transduction 23. Signal Transduction Through Cytokine Receptors 24. Transcription al Control of Cytokine Genes 25. Human Th1/Th2 Cells in Health and Disease 26. Cytokines and Cancer 27. Subterfuges and Sabotage: Virus Manipulation of Cytokine Networks 28. Cytokines and Chemokines in HIV Infection: Implications for Therapy 29. Cytokines in Parasitic Diseases: The Example of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis 30. Cytokines in Autoimmune Disorders 31. Cytokines in Organ Transplantation 32. Cytokines and Human Reproduction 33. Inherited Cytokine and Cytokine Receptors Defects in Man 34. Cytokines in the Neuroendocrine System 35. The Chronobiology of Human Cytokine Production 36. Methods for Clinical Investigation of Cytokine and Cytokine Receptors

Building on the strengths of the first edition, the newly titled and expanded second edition remains a concise introduction to the fundamentals of immunology, with an expert synthesis of basic and clinical information., Augmented by color illustrations, and with increased emphasis on the molecular and genetic underpinnings of cellular phenomena, Textbook of Immunology covers the physiology of the immune system, disease entities related to immune system dysfunction, and the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of dysfunction. In response to advancing knowledge that influences the approach to presenting basic immunology, new chapters have been added on cytokines; host defense (non-specific immunity and specific immune responses); the aging immune system; and the pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of AIDS., This book keeps pace with the explosion of information and data in immunology, and adeptly refines, organizes, and presents this body of knowledge to serve as a succinct introduction to modern immunologic concepts for medical students, and as an update and refresher in the basics for researchers and clinicians.