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This book explains how the immune system functions, namely, how individual cells of the immune system make the decision to respond or not to respond to foreign microbes and molecules, and how the critical molecules function to trigger the cellular reactions in an all-or-none (quantal) manner. To date, there has not been a complete description of the immune system and its cells and molecules, primarily because most of the information has accumulated only in the last 40 years and our understanding has been expanding rapidly only in the last 20 years. It is now clear that the cells have evolved a way to “count” the number of foreign antigenic molecular “hits”, and they only react when a critical number of events have accumulated. Subsequently, control over the reaction is transferred to a systemic lymphocytotrophic hormone system that determines the tempo, magnitude and duration of the immune reaction.This book explains in detail how the immune system, cells and molecules work for the first time. With this understanding as a basis, the pathogenesis of autoimmunity can now be understood as a mutational usurpation of the genes encoding molecules that participate in a sensitive feedback regulatory control of the immune reaction. By comparison, malignant transformation is understood as a mutational usurpation of the genes encoding the molecules that control the quantal decision to proliferate, so that normal ligand/receptor cell growth control is circumvented.

Superantigens constitute a growing family of bacterial and viral proteins that share the capacity of inducing massive activation of the immune system. This volume contains contributions from leaders in the field of classical T cell superantigens and sheds light on relevant B cell superantigens at the molecular and biochemical levels. Moreover, articles in this publication deal with the emerging, intriguing possibility that immunoglobulin superantigens can activate primary effector cells of allergic disorders both in vitro and in vivo, thus acting as superallergens. A detailed account is also given of the biochemical, immunological and clinical characteristics of several endogenous, viral and bacterial superallergens, which are probably relevant in a variety of human diseases. This is the first volume to put together basic and clinical aspects of the classical T cell superantigens, B cell superantigens and superallergens. It will therefore be indispensable reading to basic and clinical immunologists, microbiologists, virologists and specialists in allergic and immune disorders.

In an effort to go beyond immune-based therapies, researchers are now considering the implications of apoptosis dysregulation during HIV-induced immunodeficiency. This work provides the first comprehensive compendium of the progress made in understanding the process of cell death related to HIV and the potential breakthroughs in treatment that offer much promise. Combining the work of more than two-dozen top researchers, this seminal volume provides clinicians and researchers with an excellent reference, while also serving as an incubator to stimulate future research. It explains the fundamental biology involved with apoptosis, explains its clinical impact in HIV, and examines the newest therapeutic approaches.

Over the last 15 years, since the discovery of the T cell receptor gamma and delta genes, rapid progress has been made toward the understanding of the biology of gamma-delta T cells. They differ from conventional alpha-beta T cells not only in T cell receptor composition, but also in their development, tissue distribution, and physiological functions. This volume contains seven chapters contributed by experts on different aspects of gamma-delta T cells, including the natural ligands for gamma-delta T cell receptors, IL-7-dependent regulation of gamma-delta T cell development, cytokine-mediated intercellular communication of gamma-delta T cells with other cell types, and their physiological functions in innate and adaptive immune responses. The comprehensive review articles collected in this volume will be of interest to basic immunologists who wish to update their knowledge on the biology of gamma-delta T cells. The book also provides a unique opportunity for non-immunologists and clinicians to understand how the immune system is specifically equipped to protect the body against pathogens at the environmental interface.