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Cellular selection and regulation in the immune response
92
Book Re~iews
For those cases in which artit:acts are believed to not be induced by negative staining. DePamphilis's chapter is to be recommended. Overall. this is an excellent volume: full of information. lots of literature cited, lots of actually how to do-it-your-
self. and all in a nice small ~olume. which o n b costs 24.75 dollars. Dicision of Biology JAMES BONNER California Institute of Technology Pasadena. CA 91 i09. U.S.A.
Membrane Mediated Information--1. Biochemical Functions--Edited b.v P. W. Kent. American Elsevier, New York. 1973. 231 pp. 515.50. "'What's in a name?" or. indeed in a title'? The ~olume revie~cd hcrc contains a series of papers linked b? the common theme of study of oligosaccharide chains present at the surface of biological lipid membranes. These polymers are considered both in their own right, and as components of more complex and larger polymers, glycoproteins and glycolipids, Animal cells, especially cultured mammalian cell lines receive the greatest attention from the authors, though a three chapter section on viruses offers a view of membrane components of some enveloped viruses. "Information" is discussed in the opening article, by the late Richard Winzler. who points the number of permutations possible in a structure as simple as a disaccharide (16. in contrast to only 2 for a dipeptide). Many of the other papers tend to enlarge or detail for us the repertoire of oligosaccharide structure, but on the whole the readers are left to their own resources and to make their own inferences as to the "'informational" or biological meaning of structural variations in short sugar chains. (Important exceptions to them are the chapter on heterophile agglutinins and ABH blood group antigens dealing with systems in which both chemistry and immunology is understood). This reviewer appreciated such freedom to speculate, or perhaps ponder, and believes that the volume is valuable
as a special sort of extended review, of great use to biologists of all sorts, who study' the cell surface in terms of function, or serological specificity (but often in ignorance of chemical details) and conversely to chemists in search of functions and roles for particle structures. Most of the chapters combine brief reviews of an area with descriptions of fairly recent experimental work. Such combinations allow rapid entry into an area, e.g. glycolipid structure in transformed and non-transformed cells, together with a good appreciation of the technical aspects of work, the details of experiments too often omitted from more strictly review essays. Thus. though many of the experiments described here have been published in more extended lbrm elsewhere, they serve to reinforce the review aspects of the volume. Membrane glycolipids and glycoproteins, and some aspects of membrane phospholipids are dealt with in compact and adequate fashion. I would recommend the volume as what might be termed a "'working introduction" to an aspect of cell surface chemistry which, I predict will intrude itself more and more into cell biology.
Biology Department The Johns Hopkins Unicersirv Baltimore, MD 21218. U.S.A.
MICHAEL EDIDIN
Cellular Selection and Regulation in the Immune Response---Edited by Gerald M. Edelman. North Holland PuNishing Company, Amsterdam, 1974, 330 pp., S23.10. The collection of papers gathered together in this volume provide stimulating and interesting reading. A wide range of topics is covered in considerable detail there being 17 papers on the following themes: quantitation of clonal selection, immunogenetics, the cell surface and various aspects of lymphocyte stimulation, immunoglobulin synthesis and regulation of the immune response. It would be unfair to pick out articles as being good since the majority of articles are of a uniformly high standard and are a good combination of fact and speculation. One of the papers was. however, conspicuous in the absence of sufficient statistical qualification of the data presented in its numerous tables. Most of the information being presented in each article is not now new. but several of the papers each constitute a short review of their specified areas. They would therefore, provide a ready reference source for someone who quickly wants to be brought up to date with several different aspects of immunology. A few examples should give some idea of the scope covered in each section. Jerne in his paper 'Clonal Selection in a Lymphocyte Network' outlines the difficulties of quantitating clonal selection and discusses the possibilities of building a biologically acceptable mathematical model of the response of the immune response to antigens. Edelman in the same section considers the origin and mechanism of specificity in clonal selection b.~ covering
possible evolutionary relationships between histocompatibility loci. flz microglobulin and immunoglobulin; antibody specificity: the requirements of clonal selection and the ontogeny of specific antibody binding cells. The immunogenetics section includes articles on both histocompatibility linked genetic control of the immune response (McDevitt et al.) and the genetic fine structure of the H-2 complex (Shreffler). The former paper reviews and discusses evidence for and against the hypothesis that H-linked Ir genes are expressed only on T derived antigen reactive ceils. The latter paper contains a useful section for those unfamiliar with this field on the construction of the genetic map of the H-2 region of the, chromosome and describes the production, characteristics and potential uses of antisera to antigens controlled by genes localised in several papers but particular b that of Milstein et ,1., Histocompatibility antigens and other surface markers are used as tools to probe membrane structure. The binding of Ag-Ab complexes to cells and the possible role of this as a controlling function in the immune response is discussed. The proliferation and maturation of lymphocytes, the turnover of surface Ig, its site of synthesis and its relationship to secreted Ig are also covered in some depth. The various characteristics of Con A, its capacity to be both a stimulator and an inhibitor, its detailed structure
Book Reviews and the relationship of this to its mitogenic activity is discussed by several authors. Most of the papers are readily accessible to the average reader. The description of the methodology of the experiments and the clarity of presentation of experimental data in several papers but particularly that of Milstein et al., would make these articles valuable for teaching students, One of the drawbacks of such a book as this is inevitably the price. As much of the information in the book is now
93
scattered over a wide range of scientific journals the impoverished student of immunology will be forced to turn to the source material.
Department of Immunology Middlesex Hospital Medical School Tottenham Street London WIP 9PG England
ANNE COOKE
The Immunoglobulin A System (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, Vol. 45)--Edited by Mestecky J. and Lawton A. R.. III. Plenum Press, New York. 1974. 555 pp., 828.00. This volume is a record of the proceedings of an international symposium held in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the School of Dentistry at the University of Alabama in Birmingham in October of I973. Sessions were designed to cover developmental and cellular aspects of IgA: structural, biosynthetic and genetic aspects with emphasis on recent progress in studies of the primary structure of IgA: and functional and clinical aspects with special emphasis on the relationship of IgA and oral health. The major theme in terms of species is man, with more than 70% of the contributions directed towards the human IgA system, although reports of studies in various laboratory animals are also included which provide recent essential information for understanding current concepts of developmental, cellular and functional aspects of the IgA system. This volume reflects a well planned symposium. bringing together chemists, biologists, veterinarians, physicians and dentists who report recent information in their own research areas and who do not hesitate to ask each other probing questions in the discussions of the papers --all of which have been recorded. These discussions convey the excitement of the participants in hearing new information about a rapidly advancing field. The papers covering structural studies of human IgA provide a good
synopsis of current data. The reader who has not lollowed the lgA system closely in the past may have the feeling that papers covering the functional aspects of the lgA system are somewhat diverse, and indeed they are. The statement by Richard Hong on page 413. "'Like an adolescent, lgA at this moment seems impossible to understand but fascinating to study." summarizes the current state of the art and encouraged me to reread many papers with the belief that continued, pursuit of such diverse approaches can lead to a more unified concept of the functional roles of IgA. The symposium is closed with a summary by Robert Good, who puts much of the information in perspective and points out inconsistencies and gaps in information about the lgA system by posing a set of unanswered questions. I would recommend that readers who are not specialists in the lgA field start with the last chapter first.
Department o/'Pl"erentit'e ),lcdicine W. CAREY HANLY and Community Health Colleye of Medicine University of Illinois at the Medical Center Chicago, IL 60680 U.S.A.
Cyclic Amp, Cell Growth, and the Immune Reslmnse---Edited by Werner Braun, Lawrence M. Lichtenstein and Charles W. Parker. Springer, New York, 1974. 416 pp. 523.80. This is a Symposium report for those who read rather than thumb. In this sense it bears the stamp of its posthumous editor. Werner Braun. It is well worth reading because the book pays dividends at several levels. One senses in the papers and discussion the excitement of an unfolding field i.e. the intracellular mediators of tolerance, induction and effector function in the immune system. The central role of cAMP was clearly realized at the time of the meeting. However, everyone must have left the meeting fired by the emerging role of cGMP. In this respect, the meeting was perfectly timed, a credit to its organizers. In a field, blooming with poppies, one tends to ask the question "'what would happen if?" There is a good deal of this in the reported work on the effects of hormones or transmitters on the immune response and its effector function. This is an invitation to those of us who like to rationalize a body of work. The food stables are there, but only primitive attempts were made at the conference to blend a presentable dinner. The reader is given a chance to display creative cordon bleu cuisine. Aside from the obvious presentation of a body of knowledge, there is a special bonus for the graduate student
in particular. Too often it is forgotten that science is carried on by scientists. We never get to know our peers through the stereotyped formats imposed by journals, Science advances most often because of ambiguities of interactions and meaning. This process, lost in print, is seen often at meetings during verbal exchange. By reporting the discussion in this book the students in particular (and all of us in general) get a sense of the individuals who participated. Consider that Joycian character. Dr. Bloom, who says, "'Did I understand correctly that you were saying that the action of an adjuvant can be readily explained by saying that the cells are full of "X'?'" Or the man of precision, Dr. Austen, who asks. "'Can we be absolutely certain that .... ?" and is answered with confidence by Dr. Melmon. "'As sure as we know how to be sure". Then we find the mind-blowing fears of Dr. Henney, "Can I add a plea that we not use H-2 for the type 2 histamine receptor. We already have a perfectly adequate H-2". Or the appeal to final authority of Dr. Weissman when asked, "Did you check whether the cholera toxin used in your experiments really had cholera-toxin-like activity"? answers "We got our cholera toxin from Dr. Bourne and Dr. Lichtenstein". Or the endlessly searching Dr. Go[dberg
Book Re~iews
For those cases in which artit:acts are believed to not be induced by negative staining. DePamphilis's chapter is to be recommended. Overall. this is an excellent volume: full of information. lots of literature cited, lots of actually how to do-it-your-
self. and all in a nice small ~olume. which o n b costs 24.75 dollars. Dicision of Biology JAMES BONNER California Institute of Technology Pasadena. CA 91 i09. U.S.A.
Membrane Mediated Information--1. Biochemical Functions--Edited b.v P. W. Kent. American Elsevier, New York. 1973. 231 pp. 515.50. "'What's in a name?" or. indeed in a title'? The ~olume revie~cd hcrc contains a series of papers linked b? the common theme of study of oligosaccharide chains present at the surface of biological lipid membranes. These polymers are considered both in their own right, and as components of more complex and larger polymers, glycoproteins and glycolipids, Animal cells, especially cultured mammalian cell lines receive the greatest attention from the authors, though a three chapter section on viruses offers a view of membrane components of some enveloped viruses. "Information" is discussed in the opening article, by the late Richard Winzler. who points the number of permutations possible in a structure as simple as a disaccharide (16. in contrast to only 2 for a dipeptide). Many of the other papers tend to enlarge or detail for us the repertoire of oligosaccharide structure, but on the whole the readers are left to their own resources and to make their own inferences as to the "'informational" or biological meaning of structural variations in short sugar chains. (Important exceptions to them are the chapter on heterophile agglutinins and ABH blood group antigens dealing with systems in which both chemistry and immunology is understood). This reviewer appreciated such freedom to speculate, or perhaps ponder, and believes that the volume is valuable
as a special sort of extended review, of great use to biologists of all sorts, who study' the cell surface in terms of function, or serological specificity (but often in ignorance of chemical details) and conversely to chemists in search of functions and roles for particle structures. Most of the chapters combine brief reviews of an area with descriptions of fairly recent experimental work. Such combinations allow rapid entry into an area, e.g. glycolipid structure in transformed and non-transformed cells, together with a good appreciation of the technical aspects of work, the details of experiments too often omitted from more strictly review essays. Thus. though many of the experiments described here have been published in more extended lbrm elsewhere, they serve to reinforce the review aspects of the volume. Membrane glycolipids and glycoproteins, and some aspects of membrane phospholipids are dealt with in compact and adequate fashion. I would recommend the volume as what might be termed a "'working introduction" to an aspect of cell surface chemistry which, I predict will intrude itself more and more into cell biology.
Biology Department The Johns Hopkins Unicersirv Baltimore, MD 21218. U.S.A.
MICHAEL EDIDIN
Cellular Selection and Regulation in the Immune Response---Edited by Gerald M. Edelman. North Holland PuNishing Company, Amsterdam, 1974, 330 pp., S23.10. The collection of papers gathered together in this volume provide stimulating and interesting reading. A wide range of topics is covered in considerable detail there being 17 papers on the following themes: quantitation of clonal selection, immunogenetics, the cell surface and various aspects of lymphocyte stimulation, immunoglobulin synthesis and regulation of the immune response. It would be unfair to pick out articles as being good since the majority of articles are of a uniformly high standard and are a good combination of fact and speculation. One of the papers was. however, conspicuous in the absence of sufficient statistical qualification of the data presented in its numerous tables. Most of the information being presented in each article is not now new. but several of the papers each constitute a short review of their specified areas. They would therefore, provide a ready reference source for someone who quickly wants to be brought up to date with several different aspects of immunology. A few examples should give some idea of the scope covered in each section. Jerne in his paper 'Clonal Selection in a Lymphocyte Network' outlines the difficulties of quantitating clonal selection and discusses the possibilities of building a biologically acceptable mathematical model of the response of the immune response to antigens. Edelman in the same section considers the origin and mechanism of specificity in clonal selection b.~ covering
possible evolutionary relationships between histocompatibility loci. flz microglobulin and immunoglobulin; antibody specificity: the requirements of clonal selection and the ontogeny of specific antibody binding cells. The immunogenetics section includes articles on both histocompatibility linked genetic control of the immune response (McDevitt et al.) and the genetic fine structure of the H-2 complex (Shreffler). The former paper reviews and discusses evidence for and against the hypothesis that H-linked Ir genes are expressed only on T derived antigen reactive ceils. The latter paper contains a useful section for those unfamiliar with this field on the construction of the genetic map of the H-2 region of the, chromosome and describes the production, characteristics and potential uses of antisera to antigens controlled by genes localised in several papers but particular b that of Milstein et ,1., Histocompatibility antigens and other surface markers are used as tools to probe membrane structure. The binding of Ag-Ab complexes to cells and the possible role of this as a controlling function in the immune response is discussed. The proliferation and maturation of lymphocytes, the turnover of surface Ig, its site of synthesis and its relationship to secreted Ig are also covered in some depth. The various characteristics of Con A, its capacity to be both a stimulator and an inhibitor, its detailed structure
Book Reviews and the relationship of this to its mitogenic activity is discussed by several authors. Most of the papers are readily accessible to the average reader. The description of the methodology of the experiments and the clarity of presentation of experimental data in several papers but particularly that of Milstein et al., would make these articles valuable for teaching students, One of the drawbacks of such a book as this is inevitably the price. As much of the information in the book is now
93
scattered over a wide range of scientific journals the impoverished student of immunology will be forced to turn to the source material.
Department of Immunology Middlesex Hospital Medical School Tottenham Street London WIP 9PG England
ANNE COOKE
The Immunoglobulin A System (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, Vol. 45)--Edited by Mestecky J. and Lawton A. R.. III. Plenum Press, New York. 1974. 555 pp., 828.00. This volume is a record of the proceedings of an international symposium held in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the School of Dentistry at the University of Alabama in Birmingham in October of I973. Sessions were designed to cover developmental and cellular aspects of IgA: structural, biosynthetic and genetic aspects with emphasis on recent progress in studies of the primary structure of IgA: and functional and clinical aspects with special emphasis on the relationship of IgA and oral health. The major theme in terms of species is man, with more than 70% of the contributions directed towards the human IgA system, although reports of studies in various laboratory animals are also included which provide recent essential information for understanding current concepts of developmental, cellular and functional aspects of the IgA system. This volume reflects a well planned symposium. bringing together chemists, biologists, veterinarians, physicians and dentists who report recent information in their own research areas and who do not hesitate to ask each other probing questions in the discussions of the papers --all of which have been recorded. These discussions convey the excitement of the participants in hearing new information about a rapidly advancing field. The papers covering structural studies of human IgA provide a good
synopsis of current data. The reader who has not lollowed the lgA system closely in the past may have the feeling that papers covering the functional aspects of the lgA system are somewhat diverse, and indeed they are. The statement by Richard Hong on page 413. "'Like an adolescent, lgA at this moment seems impossible to understand but fascinating to study." summarizes the current state of the art and encouraged me to reread many papers with the belief that continued, pursuit of such diverse approaches can lead to a more unified concept of the functional roles of IgA. The symposium is closed with a summary by Robert Good, who puts much of the information in perspective and points out inconsistencies and gaps in information about the lgA system by posing a set of unanswered questions. I would recommend that readers who are not specialists in the lgA field start with the last chapter first.
Department o/'Pl"erentit'e ),lcdicine W. CAREY HANLY and Community Health Colleye of Medicine University of Illinois at the Medical Center Chicago, IL 60680 U.S.A.
Cyclic Amp, Cell Growth, and the Immune Reslmnse---Edited by Werner Braun, Lawrence M. Lichtenstein and Charles W. Parker. Springer, New York, 1974. 416 pp. 523.80. This is a Symposium report for those who read rather than thumb. In this sense it bears the stamp of its posthumous editor. Werner Braun. It is well worth reading because the book pays dividends at several levels. One senses in the papers and discussion the excitement of an unfolding field i.e. the intracellular mediators of tolerance, induction and effector function in the immune system. The central role of cAMP was clearly realized at the time of the meeting. However, everyone must have left the meeting fired by the emerging role of cGMP. In this respect, the meeting was perfectly timed, a credit to its organizers. In a field, blooming with poppies, one tends to ask the question "'what would happen if?" There is a good deal of this in the reported work on the effects of hormones or transmitters on the immune response and its effector function. This is an invitation to those of us who like to rationalize a body of work. The food stables are there, but only primitive attempts were made at the conference to blend a presentable dinner. The reader is given a chance to display creative cordon bleu cuisine. Aside from the obvious presentation of a body of knowledge, there is a special bonus for the graduate student
in particular. Too often it is forgotten that science is carried on by scientists. We never get to know our peers through the stereotyped formats imposed by journals, Science advances most often because of ambiguities of interactions and meaning. This process, lost in print, is seen often at meetings during verbal exchange. By reporting the discussion in this book the students in particular (and all of us in general) get a sense of the individuals who participated. Consider that Joycian character. Dr. Bloom, who says, "'Did I understand correctly that you were saying that the action of an adjuvant can be readily explained by saying that the cells are full of "X'?'" Or the man of precision, Dr. Austen, who asks. "'Can we be absolutely certain that .... ?" and is answered with confidence by Dr. Melmon. "'As sure as we know how to be sure". Then we find the mind-blowing fears of Dr. Henney, "Can I add a plea that we not use H-2 for the type 2 histamine receptor. We already have a perfectly adequate H-2". Or the appeal to final authority of Dr. Weissman when asked, "Did you check whether the cholera toxin used in your experiments really had cholera-toxin-like activity"? answers "We got our cholera toxin from Dr. Bourne and Dr. Lichtenstein". Or the endlessly searching Dr. Go[dberg