Innate Immunity: Pattern Recognition and Effector Mechanisms

This contributed volume follows up and expands upon Target Pattern Recognition in Innate Immunity (2009), providing a much-needed update on an area that has surged to the forefront of medical research in recent years. From the initial idea of pattern recognition on microbial surfaces, innate immunity is now recognized as a key player in human health and disease, by virtue of its ability to regulate adaptive immune responses with important physiological and pathological consequences. This book presents cutting edge research and future perspectives on nearly all aspects of innate immunity. Coverage includes cells of the innate immune system, pattern recognition receptors and effector mechanisms, soluble PRRs and humoral factors, immune response to viral, bac-terial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens, disease mechanisms, and comparative studies in non-mammalian innate immunity. It is an excellent introduction to the field for students, and state of the art reference for researchers and professionals.

The biology of Dendritic cells-health and disease. - Innate lymphoid cells. - Primordial cells bridging the gap between innate and adaptive immunity. - Pattern recognition by NOD like receptors. - The C-type lectin receptors. - Collectins and Ficolins. - Complement system. - Innate immune response to viral infection. - Anti-fungal innate immune response. - Innate immune response to helminth infection. - Trained innate immunity. - Interactions between the innate and adaptive immune responses. - Role of innate immunity in cancer. - Innate immune mechanisms in normal and adverse pregnancy. - Innate immune mechanisms in the central nervous system. - Invertebrate innate immunity. - Pattern recognition and plant immunity.