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Immunology for undergraduates
CLINICAL
IMMUNOLOGY
AND
2, 591-595
IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(1974)
Book Reviews Methods New York,
in Cell Biology, Volume 1973. 420 pp. $26.00.
VI.
Edited
by
DAVID
M.
PRESCOTT.
Academic
Press,
In the ten years since the inception of this multivolume series, the range of techniques and methods used in research on the cell has expanded and permitted major new directions of investigation. Volume VI of this series continues to present techniques and methods in cell research that have not been published, or have been published in sources that are not readily available. Much of the information on experimental techniques in modem cell biology is scattered in a fragmentary fashion throughout the research literature. In addition, the general practice of condensing to the most abbreviated form, materials and methods sections of journal articles, has led to descriptions that are frequently inadequate guides to techniques. This volume brings together into one compilation complete and detailed treatment of a number of widely useful techniques that have not been published in full detail elsewhere in the literature. Many of the techniques will undoubtedly prove useful to those interested in propagating and studying normal and abnormal lymphoid cells. Volume VI of Methods in Cell Biology contains contributions by an impressive array of authorities from all over the world. Methods described include cell culture in synthetic and deficient media, synchronization of cultures, measurement of cell cycle phase in suspension, plating, and culture contaminants. It describes methods of isolating mutant cells and cell components, discusses chemotaxis in the leukocyte, and demonstrates a new technique for staining chromosomes. The presentations in this volume are comprehensive to the extent that they may serve not only as a practical introduction to experimental procedures but also to provide, to some extent, an evaluation of the limitations, potentialities, and current applications of the methods. Only those theoretical considerations needed for proper use of each method are included. Special emphasis has also been placed on inclusions of much reference material in order to guide readers to early and current pertinent literature. Highly recommended. H. HUGH FUDENBERG, University of California School of Medicine San Francisco, California
Immunology for Undergraduates. University of Edinburgh Medical UK 90 pence.
Edited School.
by D. Churchill
M.
M.D.
WEIR, Senior Lecturer in Immunology, Livingstone, 1973. 3rd Edition. 181 pp.
This highly readable little text (181 pages, 49 excellent teaching diagrams, nine-page index), despite some deficiencies, is, in the opinion of this reviewer, the best existing introduction to immunology for college students. The new edition has been updated, includes new material, new figures, and additional laboratory methods. The book contains 12 chapters. The first, “Immunity,” defines in historical context the difference between humoral and cellular (including macrophage) contributions to host protection. The second chapter, “Innate Immunity,” deals with genetic, age-related, and nutritional and hormonal influences on host defense, and includes descriptions of phagocytosis and of the compleCopyright All rights
0 1974 by Academic Press, Inc. of reproduction in any form reserved.
591
592
BOOK
REVIEWS
ment system. Chapter 3 presents “Antigens” in understandable form. Chapter 4, “Acquired Immunity,” deals with the steps involved in the immune response, tissues involved in immune reactions, cells concerned with antibody production, immunoglobulin structure and function, cellular processes involved in antibody formation, and the role of the thymus. Chapter 5, “Hypersensitivity,” presents a lucid and simplified version of this field, but may be difficult for American readers since it uses the Coombs and Cell categorization of hypersensitivity reactions (Type 1, anaphylactic; Type 2, cytolytic; Type 3, toxic-complex, and Type 4, cell-mediated delayed hypersensitivity form. The immunology of tissue transplantation (Chapter 7) is oversimplified; no mention is made of MLC locus, for example. Chapter 8, “Infection, Immunity and Protection,” is above average; the short section on antigenic drift is to be especially commended. The concept of autoimmunity is introduced in this chapter rather than in Chapter 9 (entitled “Autoimmunity”) and unfortunately, the “mutant clone” theory is presented as fact, although (this reviewer believes) most immunologists have discarded this concept in the past few years in favor of a genetically determined defect in cellular immunity permitting increased growth of autoimmune clones normally present, but kept in check by suppressor T-cells (for organ-specific autoimmune disease) or permitting persistence of a virus normally handled by individuals devoid of this genetic defect for so-called “autoimmune diseases” without organ-specific antibodies, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, etc. The chapters on “Immunohaematology” (#lo) and “Malignant Disease” (#ll) are excellent for beginners, but fail to mention such important areas as immune response genes, allotypes, etc., or the newer assays for cellular or humoral immunity to neoplasms. Chapter 12 (The Interaction of Antibody with Antigen) is to be especially commended; it presents clear descriptions, both in text and figures, of immunoelectrophoresis, radial diffusion, hemagglutination inhibition, complement fixation, immunofluorescence, radioimmunoassay, etc. Each chapter has five to 10 references at the end, either other texts or review articles; inclusion of at least one original article would probably encourage further critical reading by students of above average intellectual curiosity. H. HUGH FUDENBERG, University of California School of Medicine San Francisco, California
Immunology: By HERMAN
An Introduction N. EISEN. Harper
to Molecular and Cellular Principles and Row, New York, 1973. $10.00
of the Immune
M.D.
Responses.
This is a reprint of the entire Immunology section from the second edition of Davis et aE.‘s Microbiology. Herman N. Eisen, M.D., Professor of Immunology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and is a past president of the American Association of Immunologists. The paperback describes immune responses against foreign cells, microbes, and organic molecules in terms of specifically reactive antibodies and host lymphoid cells, and describes the molecular properties of antigens and antibodies. Important topics discussed include structure, function, and biosynthesis of immunoglobulins; an outline of the functional anatomy of the lymphoid system; the cellular and genetic basis for antibody formation and for regulation of immune responses; the complement system; antibodyand cell-mediated hypersensitivity; and the principal alloantigens: blood group substances and histocompatibility antigens, including discussions of transplantation and tumor immunology. The references, illustrations, and index are all excellent. As a comprehensive introductory text, this book emphasizes the broad range of biochemical, genetic, and clinical observations that provide the foundation for current concepts in immunology. This lucid and comprehensive text is remarkably up-to-date, including references to material published in mid-1973, and such new im-
IMMUNOLOGY
AND
2, 591-595
IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(1974)
Book Reviews Methods New York,
in Cell Biology, Volume 1973. 420 pp. $26.00.
VI.
Edited
by
DAVID
M.
PRESCOTT.
Academic
Press,
In the ten years since the inception of this multivolume series, the range of techniques and methods used in research on the cell has expanded and permitted major new directions of investigation. Volume VI of this series continues to present techniques and methods in cell research that have not been published, or have been published in sources that are not readily available. Much of the information on experimental techniques in modem cell biology is scattered in a fragmentary fashion throughout the research literature. In addition, the general practice of condensing to the most abbreviated form, materials and methods sections of journal articles, has led to descriptions that are frequently inadequate guides to techniques. This volume brings together into one compilation complete and detailed treatment of a number of widely useful techniques that have not been published in full detail elsewhere in the literature. Many of the techniques will undoubtedly prove useful to those interested in propagating and studying normal and abnormal lymphoid cells. Volume VI of Methods in Cell Biology contains contributions by an impressive array of authorities from all over the world. Methods described include cell culture in synthetic and deficient media, synchronization of cultures, measurement of cell cycle phase in suspension, plating, and culture contaminants. It describes methods of isolating mutant cells and cell components, discusses chemotaxis in the leukocyte, and demonstrates a new technique for staining chromosomes. The presentations in this volume are comprehensive to the extent that they may serve not only as a practical introduction to experimental procedures but also to provide, to some extent, an evaluation of the limitations, potentialities, and current applications of the methods. Only those theoretical considerations needed for proper use of each method are included. Special emphasis has also been placed on inclusions of much reference material in order to guide readers to early and current pertinent literature. Highly recommended. H. HUGH FUDENBERG, University of California School of Medicine San Francisco, California
Immunology for Undergraduates. University of Edinburgh Medical UK 90 pence.
Edited School.
by D. Churchill
M.
M.D.
WEIR, Senior Lecturer in Immunology, Livingstone, 1973. 3rd Edition. 181 pp.
This highly readable little text (181 pages, 49 excellent teaching diagrams, nine-page index), despite some deficiencies, is, in the opinion of this reviewer, the best existing introduction to immunology for college students. The new edition has been updated, includes new material, new figures, and additional laboratory methods. The book contains 12 chapters. The first, “Immunity,” defines in historical context the difference between humoral and cellular (including macrophage) contributions to host protection. The second chapter, “Innate Immunity,” deals with genetic, age-related, and nutritional and hormonal influences on host defense, and includes descriptions of phagocytosis and of the compleCopyright All rights
0 1974 by Academic Press, Inc. of reproduction in any form reserved.
591
592
BOOK
REVIEWS
ment system. Chapter 3 presents “Antigens” in understandable form. Chapter 4, “Acquired Immunity,” deals with the steps involved in the immune response, tissues involved in immune reactions, cells concerned with antibody production, immunoglobulin structure and function, cellular processes involved in antibody formation, and the role of the thymus. Chapter 5, “Hypersensitivity,” presents a lucid and simplified version of this field, but may be difficult for American readers since it uses the Coombs and Cell categorization of hypersensitivity reactions (Type 1, anaphylactic; Type 2, cytolytic; Type 3, toxic-complex, and Type 4, cell-mediated delayed hypersensitivity form. The immunology of tissue transplantation (Chapter 7) is oversimplified; no mention is made of MLC locus, for example. Chapter 8, “Infection, Immunity and Protection,” is above average; the short section on antigenic drift is to be especially commended. The concept of autoimmunity is introduced in this chapter rather than in Chapter 9 (entitled “Autoimmunity”) and unfortunately, the “mutant clone” theory is presented as fact, although (this reviewer believes) most immunologists have discarded this concept in the past few years in favor of a genetically determined defect in cellular immunity permitting increased growth of autoimmune clones normally present, but kept in check by suppressor T-cells (for organ-specific autoimmune disease) or permitting persistence of a virus normally handled by individuals devoid of this genetic defect for so-called “autoimmune diseases” without organ-specific antibodies, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, etc. The chapters on “Immunohaematology” (#lo) and “Malignant Disease” (#ll) are excellent for beginners, but fail to mention such important areas as immune response genes, allotypes, etc., or the newer assays for cellular or humoral immunity to neoplasms. Chapter 12 (The Interaction of Antibody with Antigen) is to be especially commended; it presents clear descriptions, both in text and figures, of immunoelectrophoresis, radial diffusion, hemagglutination inhibition, complement fixation, immunofluorescence, radioimmunoassay, etc. Each chapter has five to 10 references at the end, either other texts or review articles; inclusion of at least one original article would probably encourage further critical reading by students of above average intellectual curiosity. H. HUGH FUDENBERG, University of California School of Medicine San Francisco, California
Immunology: By HERMAN
An Introduction N. EISEN. Harper
to Molecular and Cellular Principles and Row, New York, 1973. $10.00
of the Immune
M.D.
Responses.
This is a reprint of the entire Immunology section from the second edition of Davis et aE.‘s Microbiology. Herman N. Eisen, M.D., Professor of Immunology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and is a past president of the American Association of Immunologists. The paperback describes immune responses against foreign cells, microbes, and organic molecules in terms of specifically reactive antibodies and host lymphoid cells, and describes the molecular properties of antigens and antibodies. Important topics discussed include structure, function, and biosynthesis of immunoglobulins; an outline of the functional anatomy of the lymphoid system; the cellular and genetic basis for antibody formation and for regulation of immune responses; the complement system; antibodyand cell-mediated hypersensitivity; and the principal alloantigens: blood group substances and histocompatibility antigens, including discussions of transplantation and tumor immunology. The references, illustrations, and index are all excellent. As a comprehensive introductory text, this book emphasizes the broad range of biochemical, genetic, and clinical observations that provide the foundation for current concepts in immunology. This lucid and comprehensive text is remarkably up-to-date, including references to material published in mid-1973, and such new im-