IMMUNE SYSTEM

Samuel S. Perdue Stimulation of immune response by activated helper T cells Activated by Clonal selection of a B cell Activated by the binding of an antigen to a the complex group of defense responses found in humans and other advanced vertebrates that helps repel disease-causing organisms (pathogens). Immunity refers to the ability of an organism to protect itself by differentiating self from nonself and responding appropriately. Immunity from disease is actually conferred by two cooperative defense systems, called nonspecific, innate immunity and specific, acquired immunity. Nonspecific protective mechanisms repel all microorganisms equally, while the specific immune responses are tailored to particular types of invaders. Both systems work together to thwart organisms from entering and proliferating within the body. These immune mechanisms also help eliminate abnormal cells of the body that can develop into cancer. The following sections provide a detailed explanation of how nonspecific and specific immunity function and how the immune system evolved. For information on how these systems can go awry and give rise to disease, see immune system disorder. For additional information on leukemias, lymphomas, and myelomas, see the article cancer. Additional reading Introductory textbooks Norman A. Staines, Jonathan Brostoff, and Keith James, Introducing Immunology, 2nd ed. (1993), is extensively illustrated. Also useful for the nonspecialist is J.H.L. Playfair, Immunology at a Glance, 6th ed. (1996). Eli Benjamini, Geoffrey Sunshine, and Sidney Leskowitz, Immunology: A Short Course, 3rd ed. (1996), is well-constructed and very readable. Covering the basic principles are Klaus D. Elgert, Immunology: Understanding the Immune System (1996); and Lesley-Jane Eales, Immunology for Life Scientists (1997). David Male, Immunology: An Illustrated Outline, 2nd ed. (1991); and Ivan Roitt, Jonathan Brostoff, and David Male (eds.), Immunology, 5th ed. (1998), teach immunology through extensive figures and diagrams. Additional texts William E. Paul (ed.), Fundamental Immunology, 3rd ed. (1993), requires a solid foundation in biological principles and some knowledge of immunology. Also recommended are Emil R. Unanue and Baruj Benacerraf, Textbook of Immunology, 2nd ed. (1984); and Joseph A. Bellanti (ed.), Immunology: Basic Processes, 2nd ed. (1985). Julius M. Cruse and Robert E. Lewis, Illustrated Dictionary of Immunology (1995), a comprehensive work, is useful for experienced immunologists as well as general readers. History Milestones and other developments in immunology are covered in H.J. Parish, Victory with Vaccines: The Story of Immunization (1968); and J.H. Humphrey and R.G. White, Immunology for Students of Medicine, 3rd ed. (1970), especially the introductory chapter. Jan Klein, Immunology: The Science of Self-Nonself Discrimination (1982), explains clearly how and why principles were discovered. Arthur M. Silverstein, A History of Immunology (1989), an advanced text, analyzes the history of immunology from 1720 to 1970, thoroughly discussing the discovery of immunological principles and the scientists involved. Leslie Brent, A History of Transplantation Immunology (1997), also an advanced text, examines the scientific discoveries that developed this field of immunology. Specialized topics H. Hugh Fudenberg et al., Basic Immunogenetics, 3rd ed. (1984), covers genetic aspects. Immunochemistry is treated in Elvin A. Kabat, Structural Concepts in Immunology and Immunochemistry, 2nd ed. (1976); and L.E. Glynn and M.W. Steward, Immunochemistry: An Advanced Textbook (1977). Karol Sikora, Howard M. Smedley, and Paul Finan, Monoclonal Antibodies (1984), gives a good, simple account. Edwin L. Cooper, General Immunology (1982), describes the evolution of the immune system. John H. Humphrey Samuel S. Perdue