Neonatal Immunity

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

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2. Structure and Function of the Immune System in Vertebrates

   Pages 1-55

3. Ontogeny and the Development of Cells Mediating Innate and Adaptive Immunity

   Pages 57-89

4. Phenotypic Characteristics of Neonatal B Cells

   Pages 91-106

5. Molecular Characteristics of the Neonatal B-Cell Repertoire

   Pages 107-130

6. Genetically Programmed Temporal Ordered Activation of Neonatal B-Cell Clones

   Pages 131-143

7. Antibody Responses in Fetuses and Newborns

   Pages 145-158

8. Effect of Maternal Antibodies on Neonatal B-Cell Response

   Pages 159-178

9. Neonatal Autoimmune Diseases Caused by Maternal Pathogenic Autoantibodies

   Pages 179-191

10. Phenotypic Characteristics of Neonatal T Cells

    Pages 193-218

11. Expression of MHC Molecules in Neonates

    Pages 219-226

12. Neonatal Cytokine Network

    Pages 227-240

13. Cell-Mediated Immune Responses in Neonates

    Pages 241-251

14. Fetal and Neonatal Tolerance

    Pages 253-271

15. Development of Efficient Prophylactic Vaccines and Theracines for Newborns and Infants

    Pages 273-372

16. Back Matter

    Pages 373-389

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A critical review of the classic, as wells as most recent-and quite seminal-findings concerning the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of both fetal and neonatal B and T cells, the cells that mediate antibody and cellular immune responses in newborns and infants. Dr. Bona shows how the antibody response of neonates is modulated by maternal antibodies and how, in certain cases, this can cause transient or life-threatening neonatal autoimmune disease. He also describes the characteristics of neonatal tolerance induced by foreign allo- and self-antigens, which are the basis for understanding impaired infant immune response and which provide a rationale for the development of efficient neonatal vaccines. By making clear the characteristics and differences between the immune system and the immune responses of both newborns and infants, compared to those of adults, Dr. Bona offers insights and challenging hypotheses that promise to help overcome the poor responses of neonates to various antigens.

• Antigen
• autoimmune disease
• cytokine
• diseases
• vaccine

"...an excellent reference reference for both reviewing the existing literature and for updating our current knowledge and understanding of how the immune system develops during foetal and neonatal life. This text is by far the most comprehensive review to date on neonatal immunity and I strongly recommend it to anyone with interest in the field." -Australian Veterinary Journal

"...an excellent source of both old and cutting-edge information on neonatal immunity." - New England Journal of Medicine

• Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York

  Constantin Bona

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