Autoimmunity - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1402000375 ISBN 13: 9781402000379

Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2001

Synopsis

The immune system has evolved mechanisms enabli ng it to discriminate between self and non-self constituents. A normally functioning organism is naturally unresponsive to self antigens originating from clonal deletion, aner- gy, or an active suppression of self-reactive T cells. The wide spectrum of autoimmune responses may be divided into systemic and organ-specific dis- eases and encompasses the actions of autoantibodies, autoantigeu-autoanti- body complexes, and sensitized T lymphocytes. The aim of this book is to review the current understandin g, concepts and hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches in autoim- mune disorders. The first six articles are generally concerned with the mech- anisms operating in autoimmune phenomena, whereas the subsequent reviews discuss particular phenomena in representative autoimmune dis- eases. The introductory article underlines the significance of the interactions between antigen-specific T cells and other elements ot the immune system and proposes that not suppression, but rather activation of the immune sys- tem, leading to a redirection of the immune response, would be therapeuti- cally beneficial. The next articles present the importance of costim ulatory signals in determining various types of immune responses, including autoim- munity, and the role of regulatory T cells. Further, an interesting phenome- non of epitope spreading as a mechanism for the progression of autoimmune diseases is presented.

About this title

Synopsis

This book presents an excellent review of the mechanisms underlying the phenomena of autoimmunity. It provides not only an update of the field's state of the art, but also presents new concepts in the fundamentals and treatment of autoimmune disorders. The finest example of the new approach is understanding the nature of autoimmunity and the treatment of autoimmune diseases is the introductory article. The author opposes the current dogma that autoimmune disorders should be treated with immunosuppressors, and postulates rather the activation of the immune system, which may lead to redirecting the immune response to the protective, Th-2 type of immunity.A series of articles deals with several aspects of the subject, such as the generation, progression, and regulation of autoimmune phenomena. The roles of pathogens, apoptosis, cytokines, complement components, and regulatory T cells are described, as well as the association between the immune and neurohormonal systems in major autoimmune disorders. This is not a textbook, but it is highly recommended for clinicians and university workers, and as supplementary reading for lecturers and students.

Edition details

• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1402000375
• ISBN 13: 9781402000379
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 214
• Editor: Górski Andrzej, Krotkiewski Hubert, Zimecki Michal