Immunology

Immunity: Mucosal Immunology in Health and Disease provides a realistic approach to the teaching of immunology, dealing with immunity at specific sites in the body – a novel approach not adopted in current books. This book is the first immunology textbook to focus on the mucosa, the largest immune organ in the body. It discusses basic aspects of immunology together with the main themes of modern mucosal immunology, and provides an integrated approach to describe the immunological events from the moment the antigen enters the body to the immune mechanisms that eradicate it. This textbook covers the following topics so that readers will appreciate that not all sites within the body respond in the same manner: 1. Entry of the antigen/pathogen 2. The structure of the infected site 3. Mechanisms that alert the immune system 4. Cells affected/infected by that antigen 5. Innate and acquired immune mechanisms relevant to that specific site 6. Clearance and/or antigen mediated damage 7. Transmission to other hosts Each chapter in this unique textbook contains boxed areas of text including for example case studies, techniques or recent developments worthy of the public’s attention. The book also includes an associated website containing a range of support material for lecturers. Immunity: Mucosal Immunology in Health and Disease is an essential resource for BSc and MSc students and those studying for a PhD degree in departments of biology, biochemistry, biomedicine, medicine, veterinary sciences, and immunology. It has a strong appeal within the pharmaceutical industry. Table of Contents Preface. List of standard cells and symbols. 1 Basic concepts in immunology. 2 The innate immune system. 3 The adaptive immune system. 4 Cytokines. 5 Chemokines. 6 Basic concepts in mucosal immunology. 7 Immunology of the gut. 8 Immunology of the airways. 9 Immunology of the urogenital tract and conjunctiva. 10 Immunology of the skin. 11 Immunity to viruses. 12 Immunity to bacteria. 13 Immunity to fungi. 14 Immunity to parasites. 15 Disorders of the immune system. 16 Mucosolal tumour immunology. 17 Vaccination. Glossary. Index.