Preface ix

Note to Reader xi

1. Introduction to the Immune System 1

2. Cells and Organs of the Immune System 27

3. Innate Immunity 61

4. Antigens and Antibodies 105

5. Antigen-Antibody Interactions and Some Experimental Systems 139

6. The Genetics of Antibody Formation and Structure 179

7. The Major Histocompatibility Complex and Development of Immunity 213

8. The T-Cell Receptor Complex: Characterization, Diversification, Costimulatory Molecules, Thymic Selection, and T-Cell Activation 253

9. Cytokines 285

10. Cellular Interactions: Development of Effector Functions and Their Regulation 321

11. Complement 369

12. Hypersensitivities 397

13. Immunologic Tolerance and Autoimmunity 431

14. Transplantation Immunology 461

15. Tumor Immunology 489

16. Immunodeficiencies 529

17. Immunity to Microbes 561

Glossary of Commonly Used Immunologic Terms 611

Appendix: Human Cluster of Differentiation (CD) Molecules 687

Index 703

A new edition of the comprehensive and accessible introduction to immunology

Immunology: Understanding the Immune System, Second Edition has been thoughtfully and meticulously updated to incorporate the many developments that have occurred in the field since publication of the previous edition. In addition to the consolidation, reconstruction, and revision of key material, features completely new to this edition include: three new chapters on innate immunity, immunodeficiencies, and immunity to microbes; more than fifty new figures; coverage of the latest knowledge on signaling pathways, lymphocyte trafficking, mucosal immunity, molecular mechanisms of receptor diversity, the T-lymphocyte immunological synapse, B-lymphocyte subsets, dendritic cell-driving of CD-4⁺ T-cell subset activities, biology of the CD-4⁺ T-cell TH17 subset and regulatory T-cell, cross-presentation, mechanisms of tolerance induction, immunoediting and tumor camouflage and the connection between inflammation and cancer development, immunogenetics of primary immunodeficiencies and the immunology of HIV infections and AIDS, and vaccines; and more—all immersed in full-color artwork, design, and user-friendly text.

This Second Edition provides a completely up-to-date introduction to immunology through its careful investigation of:

• Cells and organs of the human system
• Innate immunity
• Antigens and antibodies
• Antigen-antibody interactions and some experimental systems
• Genetics of antibody formation and structure
• The major histocompatibility complex and development of immunity
• T-cell receptor complex
• Cytokines
• Cellular interactions
• Hypersensitivities
• Immunologic tolerance and autoimmunity
• Transplantation immunology
• Tumor immunology
• Immunodeficiencies
• Immunity to microbes

Successfully blending biology, clinical science, genetics, and molecular biology, this book represents a complete account of our knowledge of immunology. It is complemented with a number of pedagogical aids that assist readers in the learning process, including chapter outlines, objectives, mini-summaries that provide "mental breathers" within the chapter to reassess the material just covered, full-chapter summaries, figures, and a self-evaluation section. The book ends with an extensive glossary and an appendix. It serves as an excellent textbook for courses in the life and medical sciences at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels and as a reference for practicing scientists and clinical researchers.