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We acknowledge the initiation and support of this Research Topic by the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). We hereby state publicly that the IUIS has had no editorial input in articles included in this Research Topic, thus ensuring that all aspects of this Research Topic are evaluated objectively, unbiased by any specific policy or opinion of the IUIS.
Mammalian pregnancy represents a unique immunological riddle in that the mother does not reject her allogeneic fetus. In part this is largely due to a general sequestration or diminution of T cell activity, and an increased involvement of the innate immune system. The field of immunology is concerned primarily with how innate and adaptive mechanisms collaborate to protect vertebrates from infection. Although many cellular and molecular actors have evidently important roles, antibodies and lymphocytes are considered to be the principal players. Yet despite their importance, it would be definitely simplistic to conclude that they are solely essential for immunity overall. A major distinction b...
NETosis is a unique form of cell death that is characterized by the release of decondensed chromatin and granular contents to the extracellular space. The initial observation of NETosis placed the process within the context of the innate immune response to infections. Neutrophils, the most numerous leukocytes that arrive quickly at the site of an infection, were the first cell type shown to undergo extracellular trap formation. However, subsequent studies showed that other granulocytes are also capable of releasing nuclear chromatin following stimulation. The extracellular chromatin acts to immobilize microbes and prevent their dispersal in the host. Bacterial breakdown products and inflamma...
Adhesion molecules are of fundamental importance in the regulation of immunity, inflammation, tissue remodeling, and embryonic development. They comprise different families of homologous proteins, such as selectins, integrins, cadherins, and immunoglobins. In addition, beyond these groups, other str- tures with adhesive properties, such as proteoglycans, occludin, and CD44, have been characterized recently. An understanding of the type and characteristics of adhesive molecules expressed by the different cell types and the possibility of manipulating their activity promises considerable clinical potential. Antibodies, small peptidic and nonpeptidic molecules, have recently been used to inhibi...
A repertoire of 10 TLRs mediate the first response to all microbes that infect mammals. They are the long sought receptors for a wide range of microbial products. Notable examples include TLR4 which recognizes LPS from gram negative bacteria, TLR3 which recognizes viral double-stranded RNA and TLR9 which recognizes CpG DNA motifs, found commonly in both viruses and bacteria. TLRs are increasingly being implicated in both infectious and inflammatory diseases, notable examples being sepsis, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis and asthma. There is therefore great interest in targeting TLRs therapeutically since blocking TLRs will result in a decrease in the production of inflammatory mediators such as TNF. This volume covers our current understanding of TLRs, and their role in inflammation. Given the primacy of TLRs in the inflammatory process and their emerging role in inflammatory diseases the book is of great interest to researchers working in inflammation and immunology.
This book discusses the mechanisms leading to immune-mediated tissue rejection following the hypothesis that independent of the disease process the final effector mechanism is shared by most (but not all) pathologies and it is relatively simple. The book covers evidence gathered to support the thesis by studies performed in humans during rejection or in experimental models and will focus particularly (but not exclusively) on the analysis of the rejected tissue rather than the systemic circulation. Several disease processes are discussed including example of chronic inflammatory process without resolution of the pathologic process and acute one with resolution of the pathologic process (clearance of pathogen, rejection of tumor) or unwanted tissue destruction (allograft rejection, autoimmunity).
Every organism must recognize damage-associated and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs and PAMPs) to react rapidly. The immune system requires potent negative regulators to control unnecessary or overshooting responses and balance the homeostasis in all tissues. A significant number of negative regulators of pattern recognition receptors (PRR) consist of modified innate sensors and downstream molecules that regulate inflammatory signals initiated by sterile, damage-associated inflammation as well as responses to pathogens. These conserved mechanisms contribute to immune homeostasis, maintain a constant number of immune cells, and limit the activation of the cells during frequent s...
We acknowledge the initiation and support of this Research Topic by the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). We hereby state publicly that the IUIS has had no editorial input in articles included in this Research Topic, thus ensuring that all aspects of this Research Topic are evaluated objectively, unbiased by any specific policy or opinion of the IUIS.
Inflammation is a fundamental protective mechanism and at the same time the driving force of a variety of major diseases in humans. Indeed, acute self-resolving inflammation usually plays a positive role for the host, as exemplified by infectious diseases where its positive role is well established and testified by its perception as innate immunity. On the other hand, non-resolving inflammation and consequent chronicization is a key determinant of immunopathology and clinical manifestations of most major diseases in humans. As a consequence, it is increasing appreciated that the problem with inflammation is not how often it starts, but how often it fails to resolve. Appropriate resolution of...
Part of the prestigious Novartis Foundation series, this volume uniquely addresses the use of innate immunity to treat or prevent infectious diseases of the lung. Innate Immunity to Pulmonary Infection: Provides a comprehensive overview of pulmonary infectious diseases, including basic pathology, current and potential therapies, and detailed consideration of the innate biological resistance mechanisms in the lung Thoroughly examines the major topic of innate immunity in immunology, which is now seen as key to the pathogenesis of and vaccination strategies for infectious diseases Describes the genetic and environmental factors which determine the outcome of infection, such as latency of Tuber...