This comprehensive treatise on the reticuloendothelial system is a project jointly shared by individual members of the Reticuloendothelial (RE) Society and bio- medical scientists in general who are interested in the intricate system of cells and molecular moieties derived from those cells that constitute the RES. It may now be more fashionable in some quarters to consider these cells as part of what is called the mononuc1ear phagocytic system or the lymphoreticular system. Nevertheless, because of historical developments and current interest in the subject by investigators from many diverse areas, it seems advantageous to present in one comprehensive treatise current information and knowledge con- cerning basic aspects of the RES, such as morphology, biochemistry, phylogeny and ontogeny, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as c1inical areas inc1uding immunopathology, cancer, infectious diseases, allergy, and hypersensitivity. It is anticipated that, by presenting information concerning these apparently het- erogeneous topics under the unifying umbrella of the RES, attention will be focused on the similarities as well as interactions among the cell types constitut- ing the RES from the viewpoint of various disciplines. The treatise editors and their editorial board, consisting predominantly of the editors of individual vol- umes, are extremely grateful for the enthusiastic cooperation and enormous task undertaken by members of the biomedical community in general and especially by members of the American as well as European and Japanese Reticuloen- dothelial Societies.

This comprehensive treatise on the reticuloendothelial system is a project jointly shared by individual members of the Reticuloendothelial (RE) Society and bio medical scientists in general who are interested in the intricate system of cells and molecular moieties derived from those cells which constitute the RES. It may now be more fashionable in some quarters to consider these cells as part of what is called the mononuclear phagocytic system or the lymphoreticular sys tem. Nevertheless, because of historical developments and current interest in the subject by investigators from many diverse areas, it seems advantageous to present in one comprehensive treatise current information and knowledge con cerning basic aspects of the RES, such as morphology, biochemistry, phylogeny and ontogeny, physiology, and pharmacology as well as clinical areas including immunopathology, cancer, infectious diseases, allergy, and hypersensitivity. It is anticipated that, by presenting information concerning these apparently het erogeneous topics under the unifying umbrella of the RES, attention will be focused on the similarities as well as interactions among the cell types constitut ing the RES from the viewpoint of various disciplines. The treatise editors and their editorial board, consisting predominantly of the editors of individual vol and enormous task umes, are extremely grateful for the enthusiastic cooperation undertaken by members of the biomedical community in general and especially and Japanese Reticuloen by members of the American as well as European dothelial Societies.

The Reticuloendothelial (RE) Society, which is concerned with advancement of knowledge concerning the many diverse functions of RE cells, organizes national and international meetings and publishes a scientific journal. The VIII International Congress of theRE Society was held in Jerusalem, Israel, June 18-23, 1978. The Congress had as its scientific objective a wide range of sub jects concerning the RE System, especially as related to macro phage function and interaction with lymphocytes. Emphasis of the Congress was placed on the nature and function of macrophages and other cells of the RE System with reference to immune responses, anti-infectious activity, tumor immunity, autoimmunity, and trans plant rejection. The secretion of soluble factors by macrophages and lymphocytes and the mode of action of these factors on other cells was stressed. During the Congress some discussion was entertained concerning the controversy as to what constitutes the "RE System" per se. Some investigators feel that the phagocytic activity of ~~crophages is the most important aspect of the RE System playing also a major role in many parameters of immunity. Mononuclear phagocytes include tissue macrophages as well as cir culating monocytes and their precursors. Although phagocytosis is a major functional activity of these cells, it is only one of several activities.

The Reticuloendothelial (RE) Society, which is concerned with advd cement of knowledge concerning the many diverse functions of RE cells, organizes national and international meetings and publishes a scientific journal. The VIII International Congress of the RE Society was held in Jerusalem, Israel, June 18-23, 1978. The Congress had as its scientific objec, tive a wide range of sub jects concerning the RE System, especially as related to macro phage function and interaction with lymphocytes. Emphasis of the Congress was placed on the nature and function of macrophages and other cells of the RE System with reference to immune responses, anti-infectious activity, tumor immunity, autoimmunity, and trans plant rejection. The secretion of soluble factors by rnacrophages and lymphocytes and the mode of action of these factors on other cells was stressed. During the Congress some discussion was entertained concerning the controversy as to what constitutes the "RE System" per se. Some investigators feel that the phagocytic activity of rnacrophages is the most important aspect of the RE System playing also a major role in many parameters of immunity. Mononuclear phagocytes include tissue rnacrophages as well as cir culating monocytes and their precursors. Although phagocytosis is a major functional activity of these cells, it is only one of several activities."