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  • © 2015

Pathogen-Host Interactions: Antigenic Variation v. Somatic Adaptations

  • Provides state-of-the-art reviews on host-pathogen interactions
  • Offers comprehensive information on the immunological processes involved in pathogen defense in different organisms
  • Written by international experts from different fields
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation (RESULTS, volume 57)

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Table of contents (13 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-viii
  2. Evolution of Immunity and Pathogens

    • Robert S. Jack
    Pages 1-20
  3. Pathogens: Antigen Repertoires and Variations

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 21-21
    2. A Host–Pathogen Interaction Reduced to First Principles: Antigenic Variation in T. brucei

      • Galadriel Hovel-Miner, Monica Mugnier, F. Nina Papavasiliou, Jason Pinger, Danae Schulz
      Pages 23-46
    3. Antigenic Variation in Plasmodium falciparum

      • Michaela Petter, Michael F. Duffy
      Pages 47-90
  4. Hosts: Anticipatory and Adapting Mechanisms

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 109-109
    2. An Immune Effector System in the Protochordate Gut Sheds Light on Fundamental Aspects of Vertebrate Immunity

      • Assunta Liberti, Brittany Leigh, Rosaria De Santis, Maria Rosaria Pinto, John P. Cannon, Larry J. Dishaw et al.
      Pages 159-173
    3. Variable Lymphocyte Receptors: A Current Overview

      • Masanori Kasahara
      Pages 175-192
    4. Antibody Repertoires in Fish

      • Eva Bengtén, Melanie Wilson
      Pages 193-234
    5. The Evolution and Structure of Atypical T Cell Receptors

      • Victoria L. Hansen, Robert D. Miller
      Pages 265-278
    6. Diversification of the Primary Antibody Repertoire by AID-Mediated Gene Conversion

      • Dennis K. Lanning, Katherine L. Knight
      Pages 279-293
    7. Antibody Isotype Switching in Vertebrates

      • Kate Senger, Jason Hackney, Jian Payandeh, Ali A. Zarrin
      Pages 295-324
  5. Back Matter

    Pages 325-336

About this book

This volume provides in-depth reviews of model systems that exemplify the arms race in host-pathogen interactions. Somatic adaptations are responsible for the individualization of biological responses to the environment, and the continual struggle between host immune systems and invading pathogens has given rise to corresponding processes that produce molecular variation. Whether in mollusks or human beings, various host somatic mechanisms have evolved independently, providing responses to counter rapidly-changing pathogens. The pathways they utilize can include non-heritable changes involving RNA and post-translational modifications, or changes that produce somatic DNA recombination and mutation. For infectious organisms such as protozoans and flatworms, antigenic variation is central to their survival strategy. Evolving the ability to evade the host immune system not only increases their chances of survival but is also necessary for successful re-infection within the host population.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, USA

    Ellen Hsu

  • Institute of Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

    Louis Du Pasquier

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access