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Immunogenicity
Immunochemistry, 1973, Vol. I0, PP. 419-420. Pergamon Press. Printed i~ Great Britain
BOOK REVIEWS lmmunogenicity (Frontiers of Biology, volume 2 5 ) - E d i t e d by Felix Borek. North Holland, Amsterdam, London, 1972. 600 lap. $ 36.00. Immunogenicity gives a comprehensive review of the many facets of that elusive and complicated subject. Each of the 17 chapters comprising the book deals with a different approach to the subject and each is written by an authority in the field. The book consists of two pans, the first pan considering the function of antigen and the second pan, the function of the host. Each pan evaluates these functions in both cellular and humoral immune responses. Antigens are scrutinized as chemical entities, as physical particles, as immunogens and tolerogens. Discussion of theoretical aspects predominates although some practical information is given, as for example, discussion on dosage and route of antigen injection, methods for conjugating haptens to carrier molecules, use of adjuvants. Whole chapters are devoted to antigenicity of proteins, polypeptides and haptens and the immune response to animal viruses, bacteria, fungi and mammalian cells. Immunogenicityof carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids receives little attention. The second section on function of the host begins with a discussion of the properties and role of various cell types in initiation of the immune response. The observation that antibody production or tolerance depends on the type of antigenic signal received by the cells leads into a review of the function of macrophages in the primary and secondary response, of antigen recognition and of the interaction of T and B ceils. Chapters follow on genetic control of the immune response, influence of hormones, effect of antimetabolites and other agents, dietary factors such as vitamins, proteins and lipids, transplantation and cancer immunity and finally the differentiation of immunocytes and evolution of immunological potential. The latter chapter probes the data relative to the origins of
the immune response in invertebrates and in primitive vertebrates, the lowly hagfish receiving particular attention. Current unsolved and controversial problems form a reoccuring theme throughout the various chapters and are dealt with according to each author's particular viewpoint. The question of antigen processing is one such theme. Some of the views can be paraphrased as follows-antigen effects its action intact, antigenic degradation acting merely to regulate the dose of available antigen-antigen presented via phagocytosis is immunogenic, direct presentation of antigen induces tolerance-for a substance to be antigenic it must be digested-the function of macrophages is not simply to present antigen in higher concentration or to degrade antigen-the question of antigen processing by macrophages to form an RNA-antigen complex remains open-immunogenic capacity is related to susceptibility to phagocytosis. Among other reappearing problems are the role of carrier in antibody induction to haptens, number and variability of T cell populations, the nature of receptors on T cells, antibody specificity of receptors on B cells. The age-long question of immunngenicity remains a stimulating one and current knowledge on the subject is ably handled in an outspoken and thought-provoking fashion in the present volume. NATALIE E. CREMER Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory Department of Public Health State o f Cah'fornia Berkeley, California, U.S.A.
Hypersensitivity to Drugs, Vol. I . - M. Samter and C. W. Parker, Section Editors. Pergamon Press, New York, 1972. 439 pp. £12. This volume consists of 12 chapters written by 15 contributors arranged into two sections: (1) Principles, and (2) Reactions in Organs and Systems Caused by Hypersensitivity to Drugs. Under Principles are included review papers on definitions and scope of drug allergy, therapeutic agents that are complete antigens, the formation of antigenic determinants from low moLwt drugs, chemical conjugation reactions for the study of antigens and antibodies, antibodies induced by drugs, and morphology of drug reactions. Under the second section are review papers on hematological drug reactions, skin reactions, renal reactions, hepatic injury and practical aspects of diagnosis and treatment in drug allergy. AI] in all, this volume goes a long way in summing up what is presently known about drug allergy. No really large area
of importance has been missed. The volume shows clear evidence of good planning in designing the chapters to be included. As in any volume of its sort, some of the chapters are more complete and better thought out than are others. This volume will have broad appeal to clinicians, pharmacologists, and immunologists for its content as well as for the bibliographies. I rather liked the volume and am pleased to recommend it to those individuals who are interested in hypersensitivityto drugs. BERNARD
Department ofMedicine New York University School of Medicine New York, N Y 10016, U.S.A.
419
B. L E V I N E
BOOK REVIEWS lmmunogenicity (Frontiers of Biology, volume 2 5 ) - E d i t e d by Felix Borek. North Holland, Amsterdam, London, 1972. 600 lap. $ 36.00. Immunogenicity gives a comprehensive review of the many facets of that elusive and complicated subject. Each of the 17 chapters comprising the book deals with a different approach to the subject and each is written by an authority in the field. The book consists of two pans, the first pan considering the function of antigen and the second pan, the function of the host. Each pan evaluates these functions in both cellular and humoral immune responses. Antigens are scrutinized as chemical entities, as physical particles, as immunogens and tolerogens. Discussion of theoretical aspects predominates although some practical information is given, as for example, discussion on dosage and route of antigen injection, methods for conjugating haptens to carrier molecules, use of adjuvants. Whole chapters are devoted to antigenicity of proteins, polypeptides and haptens and the immune response to animal viruses, bacteria, fungi and mammalian cells. Immunogenicityof carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids receives little attention. The second section on function of the host begins with a discussion of the properties and role of various cell types in initiation of the immune response. The observation that antibody production or tolerance depends on the type of antigenic signal received by the cells leads into a review of the function of macrophages in the primary and secondary response, of antigen recognition and of the interaction of T and B ceils. Chapters follow on genetic control of the immune response, influence of hormones, effect of antimetabolites and other agents, dietary factors such as vitamins, proteins and lipids, transplantation and cancer immunity and finally the differentiation of immunocytes and evolution of immunological potential. The latter chapter probes the data relative to the origins of
the immune response in invertebrates and in primitive vertebrates, the lowly hagfish receiving particular attention. Current unsolved and controversial problems form a reoccuring theme throughout the various chapters and are dealt with according to each author's particular viewpoint. The question of antigen processing is one such theme. Some of the views can be paraphrased as follows-antigen effects its action intact, antigenic degradation acting merely to regulate the dose of available antigen-antigen presented via phagocytosis is immunogenic, direct presentation of antigen induces tolerance-for a substance to be antigenic it must be digested-the function of macrophages is not simply to present antigen in higher concentration or to degrade antigen-the question of antigen processing by macrophages to form an RNA-antigen complex remains open-immunogenic capacity is related to susceptibility to phagocytosis. Among other reappearing problems are the role of carrier in antibody induction to haptens, number and variability of T cell populations, the nature of receptors on T cells, antibody specificity of receptors on B cells. The age-long question of immunngenicity remains a stimulating one and current knowledge on the subject is ably handled in an outspoken and thought-provoking fashion in the present volume. NATALIE E. CREMER Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory Department of Public Health State o f Cah'fornia Berkeley, California, U.S.A.
Hypersensitivity to Drugs, Vol. I . - M. Samter and C. W. Parker, Section Editors. Pergamon Press, New York, 1972. 439 pp. £12. This volume consists of 12 chapters written by 15 contributors arranged into two sections: (1) Principles, and (2) Reactions in Organs and Systems Caused by Hypersensitivity to Drugs. Under Principles are included review papers on definitions and scope of drug allergy, therapeutic agents that are complete antigens, the formation of antigenic determinants from low moLwt drugs, chemical conjugation reactions for the study of antigens and antibodies, antibodies induced by drugs, and morphology of drug reactions. Under the second section are review papers on hematological drug reactions, skin reactions, renal reactions, hepatic injury and practical aspects of diagnosis and treatment in drug allergy. AI] in all, this volume goes a long way in summing up what is presently known about drug allergy. No really large area
of importance has been missed. The volume shows clear evidence of good planning in designing the chapters to be included. As in any volume of its sort, some of the chapters are more complete and better thought out than are others. This volume will have broad appeal to clinicians, pharmacologists, and immunologists for its content as well as for the bibliographies. I rather liked the volume and am pleased to recommend it to those individuals who are interested in hypersensitivityto drugs. BERNARD
Department ofMedicine New York University School of Medicine New York, N Y 10016, U.S.A.
419
B. L E V I N E