Molecular Immunology: How Science Works

Description

This textbook aims to describe in a condensed form the essentials of molecular immunology behind bacterial infections, the microbiome, viral infections (such as influenza and COVID-19), organ transplantations, autoimmunity, allergy and tumor immunology. The book emphasizes the impact of immunology in maintaining our health and preventing disease. Our immune system protects us not only from severe consequences of infectious diseases and getting cancer, but is also able to harm us severely via sepsis, cytokine storms and anaphylactic shocks. Molecular understanding of immunology should allow the reader a more rational handling of common diseases, most of which are associated with chronic inflammation. Preface Contents Abbreviations 1 Cells and Tissues of the Immune System 1.1 Global Burden of Infectious Diseases 1.2 Innate and Adaptive Immunity 1.3 Hematopoiesis 1.4 Primary and Secondary Structures of the Immune System Further Reading 2 Innate Immunity and Inflammation 2.1 Pathogen- and Danger-Associated Molecular Patterns and Their Receptors 2.2 Myeloid Cells of Innate Immunity 2.3 Mechanisms of Phagocytosis 2.4 Inflammation 2.5 Lymphoid Cells of Innate Immunity Further Reading 3 Adaptive Immunity and Antigen Receptor Diversity 3.1 Classes and Responses of Adaptive Immune Cells 3.2 Lymphocyte Maturation 3.3 Mechanisms of Antigen Receptor Diversity Further Reading 4 B Cell Immunity: BCRs, Antibodies and Their Effector Functions 4.1 Structure and Diversity of Antibodies and BCRs 4.2 BCR Signaling 4.3 Humoral Adaptive Immune Response Further Reading 5 Antigen-Presenting Cells and the Major Histocompatibility Complex 5.1 Antigen-Presenting Cells 5.2 MHC Proteins and the HLA Locus 5.3 MHC Pathways Further Reading 6 T Cell Immunity: T Cell Receptors and Their Effector Functions 6.1 TCR Signaling 6.2 T Cell Effector Functions 6.3 T Helper Cells 6.4 Cytotoxic T Cells Further Reading 7 Immunity to Bacterial Pathogens and the Microbiome 7.1 Principles of Immune Responses to Infections 7.2 Immune Responses to Bacteria 7.3 Emerging Microbial Pathogens 7.4 Immunity to the Microbiome Further Reading 8 Immunity to Viral Pathogens and the Virome 8.1 Principles of Immune Responses to Viruses 8.2 Chronic Virus Infections and Emerging Viral Pathogens 8.3 Influenza 8.4 COVID-19 Further Reading 9 Tolerance and Transplantation Immunology 9.1 Central and Peripheral Tolerance 9.2 Graft Rejection 9.3 Immunosuppression Further Reading 10 Immunological Hypersensitivities: Allergy and Autoimmunity 10.1 Classification of Hypersensitivities 10.2 Immunity of Allergies 10.3 Type 2 and 3 Hypersensitivities 10.4 T Cell-Mediated Autoimmunity 10.5 The Equilibrium Model of Immunity Further Reading 11 Cancer Immunology 11.1 Outline of Cancer Immunity 11.2 Recognition of Cancer Antigens 11.3 Monoclonal Antibodies in Cancer Immunotherapy 11.4 Immune Cell Therapies Further Reading Glossary