Immunology: Understanding the Immune System Hardcover - 2009

From the rear cover

A new edition of the comprehensive and accessible introduction to immunology

Immunology: Understanding the Immune System, Second Edition has been thoughtfully and meticulously updated to incorporate the many developments that have occurred in the field since publication of the previous edition. In addition to the consolidation, reconstruction, and revision of key material, features completely new to this edition include: three new chapters on innate immunity, immunodeficiencies, and immunity to microbes; more than fifty new figures; coverage of the latest knowledge on signaling pathways, lymphocyte trafficking, mucosal immunity, molecular mechanisms of receptor diversity, the T-lymphocyte immunological synapse, B-lymphocyte subsets, dendritic cell-driving of CD-4^] T-cell subset activities, biology of the CD-4⁺ T-cell TH17 subset and regulatory T-cell, cross-presentation, mechanisms of tolerance induction, immunoediting and tumor camouflage and the connection between inflammation and cancer development, immunogenetics of primary immunodeficiencies and the immunology of HIV infections and AIDS, and vaccines; and more--all immersed in full-color artwork, design, and user-friendly text.

This Second Edition provides a completely up-to-date introduction to immunology through its careful investigation of:

• Cells and organs of the human system
• Innate immunity
• Antigens and antibodies
• Antigen-antibody interactions and some experimental systems
• Genetics of antibody formation and structure
• The major histocompatibility complex and development of immunity
• T-cell receptor complex
• Cytokines
• Cellular interactions
• Hypersensitivities
• Immunologic tolerance and autoimmunity
• Transplantation immunology
• Tumor immunology
• Immunodeficiencies
• Immunity to microbes

Successfully blending biology, clinical science, genetics, and molecular biology, this book represents a complete account of our knowledge of immunology. It is complemented with a number of pedagogical aids that assist readers in the learning process, including chapter outlines, objectives, mini-summaries that provide "mental breathers" within the chapter to reassess the material just covered, full-chapter summaries, figures, and a self-evaluation section. The book ends with an extensive glossary and an appendix. It serves as an excellent textbook for courses in the life and medical sciences at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels and as a reference for practicing scientists and clinical researchers.

From the jacket flap

A new edition of the comprehensive and accessible introduction to immunology

Immunology: Understanding the Immune System, Second Edition has been thoughtfully and meticulously updated to incorporate the many developments that have occurred in the field since publication of the previous edition. In addition to the consolidation, reconstruction, and revision of key material, features completely new to this edition include: three new chapters on innate immunity, immunodeficiencies, and immunity to microbes; more than fifty new figures; coverage of the latest knowledge on signaling pathways, lymphocyte trafficking, mucosal immunity, molecular mechanisms of receptor diversity, the T-lymphocyte immunological synapse, B-lymphocyte subsets, dendritic cell-driving of CD-4^] T-cell subset activities, biology of the CD-4⁺ T-cell TH17 subset and regulatory T-cell, cross-presentation, mechanisms of tolerance induction, immunoediting and tumor camouflage and the connection between inflammation and cancer development, immunogenetics of primary immunodeficiencies and the immunology of HIV infections and AIDS, and vaccines; and more--all immersed in full-color artwork, design, and user-friendly text.

This Second Edition provides a completely up-to-date introduction to immunology through its careful investigation of:

• Cells and organs of the human system
• Innate immunity
• Antigens and antibodies
• Antigen-antibody interactions and some experimental systems
• Genetics of antibody formation and structure
• The major histocompatibility complex and development of immunity
• T-cell receptor complex
• Cytokines
• Cellular interactions
• Hypersensitivities
• Immunologic tolerance and autoimmunity
• Transplantation immunology
• Tumor immunology
• Immunodeficiencies
• Immunity to microbes

Successfully blending biology, clinical science, genetics, and molecular biology, this book represents a complete account of our knowledge of immunology. It is complemented with a number of pedagogical aids that assist readers in the learning process, including chapter outlines, objectives, mini-summaries that provide "mental breathers" within the chapter to reassess the material just covered, full-chapter summaries, figures, and a self-evaluation section. The book ends with an extensive glossary and an appendix. It serves as an excellent textbook for courses in the life and medical sciences at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels and as a reference for practicing scientists and clinical researchers.