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Methods in Immunology: Volume II, Physical and Chemical Methods is a collection of papers dealing with electrophoresis, analytical ultracentrifugation, dialysis, ultrafiltration, cellulose ion exchangers, and chromatographic separation of macromolecules on porous gels. Some papers explain the applications of radioisotopes, optical analysis, and chemical analysis of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acid. One paper describes the theory of electro-migration. Factors such as electrical charge or frictional coefficients govern the rate of migration of charged particles in an electric field. The differences found in their velocities can be used to separate substances or analyze them. Mobility is a characteristic property of molecules and can also be influenced by the composition of the medium or solution. Dialysis separates solvents too large to diffuse through a barrier from smaller solutes; ultrafiltration (reverse osmosis) forces solvent and solutes up to a certain critical size through the barrier by a high pressure on one side. The book notes that the membrane never becomes plugged in dialysis because of some opposite movement of the solvent. Another paper points out that the significance of radioactive tracers in immunochemistry employed to identify and label macromolecules functioning as antigens and antibodies. The collection can prove valuable to bio-chemists, cellular biologists, micro-biologists, developmental biologists, and scientists involved in immunological research.

Methods in Immunology and Immunochemistry, Volume V: Antigen-Antibody Reactions In Vivo deals primarily with immune phenomena in tissues or in cell preparations. This book covers a variety of topics, including anaphylaxis, tolerance, immune suppression with chemical agents, radiation effects, antibody synthesis in vitro, immunological methods, and applied electron microscopy. Organized into 10 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of systemic anaphylaxis investigations in other more resistant species. This text then presents the analysis of mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the Arthus phenomenon, which shed light on the understanding of other lesions of hypersensitivity. Other chapters consider the effects of antigen–antibody interaction on connective tissue. This book discusses as well the degree and duration of acquired tolerance. The final chapter deals with the application of electron microscopy in the elucidation of the mechanisms of immune reactions. This book is a valuable resource for immunologists, students, and research workers.

Methods in Immunology and Immunochemistry, Volume III: Reactions of Antibodies with Soluble Antigens provides information pertinent to antigen–antibody and hapten–antibody reactions in vitro, in free solution and in gels. This book presents the development of research in immunology and immunochemistry. Organized into three chapters, this volume begins with an overview of protein–antiprotein reactions. This text then discusses the inhibitory activity of protein fragments, which suggested that antigenic combining sites of proteins were limited regions of the whole antigen molecule. Other chapters consider the measurement of inhibitory activity, which is still the principal assay to characterize antigenic sites of proteins. This book discusses as well the immunological techniques prior to the development of gel-diffusion methods. The final chapter deals with fluorescence labeling techniques that provide powerful approaches for exploring the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of antigen–antibody interactions. This book is a valuable resource for mathematicians and immunologists.

Methods in Immunology and Immunochemistry, Volume IV: Agglutination, Complement, Neutralization, and Inhibition provides information pertinent to direct and indirect agglutination reactions. This book covers a variety of topics, including complement-fixation procedures, isolation of complement components, hemolytic intermediates, complement-related proteins, and neutralization reactions. Organized into three chapters, this volume begins with an overview of test-tube agglutinations that are preferred for blood grouping with saline agglutinins that require more than a few minutes for agglutination. This text then describes blood group antibodies that agglutinate red blood cells suspended in saline. Other chapters consider the classical pathway of complement utilization. This book discusses as well the complexity of events leading to hemolysis of erythrocytes by complement. The final chapter deals with the ability of antitoxin to neutralize diphtheria toxin and explains the quantitative relationships between antigen and antibody. This book is a valuable resource for immunologists, scientists, and research workers.