Adaptive immune responses serve as a key defense mechanism for the control of infections in vertebrates. Immune responses must be of sufficient strength to contain invading pathogens, antigen specific responses require regulatory mechanisms to ensure termination or downmodulation to avoid excessive damage to the host tissue. For both branches of the adaptive immune system, regulatory molecules i.e. coreceptors and ligands have been identified that control the signaling cascades initiated by engagement of the T cell and B cell antigen receptors. This book describes biological functions as well as molecular mechanisms of these molecules. Fc Receptor-Like molecules (FCRL) that have garnered increasing interest due to their differential patterns of lymphocyte expression and potential involvement in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders, immunodeficiency and lymphoid malignancies in humans. Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) delivers negative signals upon interaction with its two ligands, PD-L1 or PD-L2. The biological significance of PD-1 and its ligand suggest the therapeutic potential of manipulation of PD-1 pathway against various human diseases. TIM-3 acts as a negative regulator of Th1/Tc1 cell function by triggering cell death upon interaction with its ligand, galectin-9. This negative regulatory function of TIM-3 has now been expanded to include its involvement in establishing and/or maintaining a state of T cell dysfunction or exhaustion' observed in chronic viral diseases. The Ly49 receptors, which are expressed in a stochastic manner on subsets of murine Natural Killer (NK) cells, T cells, and other cells, are encoded by the Klra gene family and include receptors with either inhibitory or activating function. Most of the inhibitory Ly49 receptors recognize polymorphic epitopes on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I proteins as ligands. Fc-receptors for IgG (Fc?Rs) are widely expressed on innate immune effector cells in

The intestine is the front line of the confrontation between pathogens and the immune system. However, it is also important to emphasize that we have a symbiotic relationship with innumerable bacteria in the intestine. In the gastrointestinal tract of mammals the lower intestine harbors around 1,000 12 species of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria, in densities up to 10 /mlinthe distal small intestine, the cecum, and the colon. A single layer of epithelial cells of the intestine protects the internal organs of the mammalian host from these bacteria. Below these epithelial cells the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT), organized in Peyer's patches, cryptopatches, and isolated l- phoid follicles, as well as isolated, dispersed single cells in the epithelial layer (intraepithelial lymphocytes) and lamina propria, are composed of T l- phocytes, B lymphocytes, Ig-secreting plasma cells, and antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells. The importance of the gut barrier is striking, if we consider that in humans the epithelial surface, behind which the immune system faces and senses the endogenous bacteria, is estimated to be as large as a basketball court. Perhaps not surprising then, the gut contains appr- imately half of all lymphocytes of our immune system. Colonization of the intestine with the ?ora of commensal bacteria induces the development of the GALT, which in turn responds by the development of IgA-secreting plasma cells. Dimeric and multimeric IgAs can traverse the epithelial layer and are released in the gut lumen, where they bind bacteria.

Nearly thirty million species of organisms are believed to now live on Earth. In addition to accumulating evidence from classical biology, paleontology and earth science, the recent progress of molecular biology has provided new insights into understanding how present-day organisms have evolved with such tremendous diversity. Molecular biological studies show us that all living forms, including "E. coli" and human beings, derive from a single ancestor that emerged some 4 billion years ago on Earth. This volume aims to discuss the motifs of organismic evolution from the viewpoints of biogeo-interactions and diversification of the genetic systems. Based on these fundamental understandings, the last section of this volume is devoted to human evolution that includes phylogeny of man as well as evolution of human culture. Such comprehensive discussion will give us a synthesized view of the evolution of life, that is undoubtedly one of the most important problems not only for science but also for human culture in general.

Molecular Biology of B Cells, Third Edition provides a comprehensive reference on how B cells are generated, selected, activated, and engaged in antibody production. These developmental and stimulatory processes are described in molecular, immunological, and genetic terms to give a clear understanding of complex phenotypes. The book offers an integrated view of B cells to produce a normal immune response as a constant, and the molecular basis of numerous diseases due to B cell abnormality. This new edition provides updated research on B cell development and function, the use of therapeutic antibodies in cancer and infectious disease, and more. With updated research and continued comprehensive coverage of all aspects of B cell biology, Molecular Biology of B Cells, this updated release is a definitive resource, vital for researchers across molecular biology, immunology, and genetics.

Adaptive immune responses serve as a key defense mechanism for the control of infections in vertebrates. Immune responses must be of sufficient strength to contain invading pathogens, antigen specific responses require regulatory mechanisms to ensure termination or downmodulation to avoid excessive damage to the host tissue. For both branches of the adaptive immune system, regulatory molecules i.e. coreceptors and ligands have been identified that control the signaling cascades initiated by engagement of the T cell and B cell antigen receptors. This book describes biological functions as well as molecular mechanisms of these molecules.

Nearly thirty million species of organisms are believed to now live on Earth. In addition to accumulating evidence from classical biology, paleontology and earth science, the recent progress of molecular biology has provided new insights into understanding how present-day organisms have evolved with such tremendous diversity. Molecular biological studies show us that all living forms, including "E. coli" and human beings, derive from a single ancestor that emerged some 4 billion years ago on Earth. This volume aims to discuss the motifs of organismic evolution from the viewpoints of biogeo-interactions and diversification of the genetic systems. Based on these fundamental understandings, the last section of this volume is devoted to human evolution that includes phylogeny of man as well as evolution of human culture. Such comprehensive discussion will give us a synthesized view of the evolution of life, that is undoubtedly one of the most important problems not only for science but also for human culture in general.

The intestine is the front line of the confrontation between pathogens and the immune system. However, it is also important to emphasize that we have a symbiotic relationship with innumerable bacteria in the intestine. In the gastrointestinal tract of mammals the lower intestine harbors around 1,000 12 species of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria, in densities up to 10 /mlinthe distal small intestine, the cecum, and the colon. A single layer of epithelial cells of the intestine protects the internal organs of the mammalian host from these bacteria. Below these epithelial cells the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT), organized in Peyer's patches, cryptopatches, and isolated l- phoid follicles, as well as isolated, dispersed single cells in the epithelial layer (intraepithelial lymphocytes) and lamina propria, are composed of T l- phocytes, B lymphocytes, Ig-secreting plasma cells, and antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells. The importance of the gut barrier is striking, if we consider that in humans the epithelial surface, behind which the immune system faces and senses the endogenous bacteria, is estimated to be as large as a basketball court. Perhaps not surprising then, the gut contains appr- imately half of all lymphocytes of our immune system. Colonization of the intestine with the ?ora of commensal bacteria induces the development of the GALT, which in turn responds by the development of IgA-secreting plasma cells. Dimeric and multimeric IgAs can traverse the epithelial layer and are released in the gut lumen, where they bind bacteria.

Advances in Immunology, a long established and highly respected serial, 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.

"Molecular Biology of B Cells, Second Edition" is a comprehensive reference to how B cells are generated, selected, activated and engaged in antibody production.All of these developmental and stimulatory processes are described in molecular, immunological, and genetic terms to give a clear understanding of complex phenotypes.

"Molecular Biology of B Cells, Second Edition" offers an integrated view of all aspects of B cells to produce a normal immune response as a constant, and the molecular basis of numerous diseases due to B cell abnormality. The new edition continues its success with updated research on microRNAs in B cell development and immunity, new developments in understanding lymphoma biology, and therapeutic targeting of B cells for clinical application. With updated research and continued comprehensive coverage of all aspects of B cell biology, "Molecular Biology of B Cells, Second Edition" is the definitive resource, vital for researchers across molecular biology, immunology and genetics.
Covers signaling mechanisms regulating B cell differentiationProvides information on the development of therapeutics using monoclonal antibodies and clinical application of AbContains studies on B cell tumors from various stages of B lymphocytesOffers an integrated view of all aspects of B cells to produce a normal immune response"