Overview
The very first publication to specifically address the role of Ig.
A in mucosal defense immunology
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Table of contents (15 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
Immune responses at mucosal surfaces play a major role in host mucosal defense against microbial pathogens and in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic mucosal inflammatory diseases. This volume draws on a broad spectrum of molecular biologic, biochemical, and immunogenetic approaches in combination with human and murine in vitro cell culture and in vivo model systems to address questions in mucosal immunity.
Humans produce more immunoglobulin A (IgA) than all other antibody isotypes combined, most of which is rapidly transported into the external secretions bathing mucous membranes. It has been estimated that more than 3 grams of IgA are transported daily into mucosal secretions, carrying out a wide range of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory functions. IgA is the second most abundant class of antibody in the bloodstream, contributing to systemic as well as secretory immunity. Recent advances in human genomics, gene regulation, structural biology, cell signaling, and immunobiology have greatly enhanced our understanding of this important class of antibody. This book is designed to serve as a concise reference of the present knowledge of the biology of IgA, including structure of IgA and its interaction with Fc receptors; epithelial transport of IgA; regulation of the mucosal IgA system; biological roles of IgA, including newly discovered functions; IgA-associated diseases, and therapeutic applications for IgA. Chapters have been contributed by internationally recognized leaders in the field of IgA research, representing 8 countries on 3 continents.
Editors and Affiliations
About the editor
Dr. Charlotte Kaetzel received her PhD and postdoctoral training in biochemistry and cell biology from the University of Maryland. Her introduction into the world of immunology came with her first faculty appointment in 1983 in the Department of Pathology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Under the mentorship of department chair Michael Lamm, a world leader in IgA biology, she applied the emerging tools of biochemistry and molecular biology to the study of IgA transport across epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Now a professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Dr. Kaetzel’s research is devoted to understanding the basic science and clinical relevance of IgA in maintenance of homeostasis in the gastrointestinal tract. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Dr. Kaetzel has served on advisory panels for a number governmental agencies and private foundations, and as an Associate Editor for The Journal of Immunology, the official journal of the American Association of Immunologists. A charter member of the Society for Mucosal Immunology, Dr. Kaetzel is currently serving as Associate Editor for its flagship journal, Mucosal Immunology.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Mucosal Immune Defense: Immunoglobulin A
Editors: Charlotte Slayton Kaetzel
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-72232-0
Publisher: Springer New York, NY
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life Sciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag US 2007
Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-387-72231-3Published: 04 October 2007
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-4419-4427-6Published: 04 November 2010
eBook ISBN: 978-0-387-72232-0Published: 17 October 2007
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XVI, 434
Topics: Immunology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Virology, Pharmacology/Toxicology, Allergology