IMMUNOLOGY
deviation as expressed
TODAY
by a cytokine shift;
(3) expression of MHC genes on reproductive organs, embryo and cytotrophoblast (4) production of immunoregulatory
cells; and
reactions towards gametes are examined, as
probably lead to the optimization
well as sperm antigens involved in sperm function, such as those implicated in gamete
transfer as well as the treatment of sterility
interactions.
coveries should also deeply influence strategies for birth control.
The book takes a new insight
growth factors; and (5) regulation of placen-
into the immunoregulatory
tal growth and trophoblast growth factors.
related ovarian disorders. All of these may
invasion
by
Immunology of Human Reproduction, with
in spermatogenesis constitute
factors involved
and immunologically
targets in immunocontraception
of hitherto unknown
of embryo
aetiology.’ These dis-
Among the recently published
our
books in
the field of reproductive immunology, it is my opinion that Immwzolw~~ 1( I-lumen
its 27 chapters, written by 43 internationally contains a vast recognized contributors, amount of information and covers a large
research. However, this query on the trans-
Reyronlrction is one of the beri It is a book to
mission of life suffers from one missing do-
be read by anyone interesterl in the mecha-
main of application
nisms of reproduction,
spectrum of interest in scientific and medi-
totally
cal reproductive
of immunity
immunology.
It has been
written in the context of increasing infertility in developed
countries
as opposed
to
ignores
in medicine:
the possible
in the induction
it almost
implications
fertihty and infertility,
and their control.
of term and Raymond D. Lambert
preterm labour. A great deal remains to be discovered
Uttite’de Recherches en Oufoghlie et
about tile multiple facets of reproductive immunology. To quote G. Chaouat (Chapter
Reproduction, Le Centre l-L~+t&er de I’U~~iversite’ Loual,
of the whole subject and, more specifically,
16): ‘The consequences
Quc!bec,
the relevance
are obvious in veterinary medicine and live-
Gl V 4G2
stock management,
Cnizadf7.
population
booming
in underdeveloped
countries. Therefore, the general relevance of the immunobiology
germ cells, are unequivocal.
of
Autoimmune
immunologist
of such discoveries
and, in humans,
who just can’t remember
up-to-date
from the immunology
tist members
of invertebrates
animals to the intricacies
structure With
of histocompatibility the
current
and of the
antigens.
edition,
definitions.
and remarkably
It has received high
praise both from student and senior scienof this laboratory,
gathering dust on my bookshelf!
trimmed, the Editors have attempted the impossible in writing a compact text en-
Stephen J. Thompson
compassing
Dept of Pnfhology and Microbiology,
difficulties,
all of the subject: an unenviable presumablv
as illus-
trated by the fact that it spends little time
although
task. Indeed, the Editors undoubtedly
dramatic developments have occurred in the science of immunology. Consequently, the
excellent cros+referencing
these cascades. The earlier editions included everything domestic
In the ten years since the third edition of The Dicfionnry of Immunology was published,
will
had
due to space con-
Ulziversity of Bristol, Sclzoolof Medical Sciences, University Walk,
straints, in deciding whether certain terms
Bristol,
should be in or out: when does today’s ‘im-
UK BS8 ITD.
munological jargon’ become necessary technical vocabulary? If this publication
has a
Online Bookstore
fault then it lies in the fact that it tries to be
fourth edition has been extensively revised to meet with the rapid progress in technol-
a pocket-sized
nition, fails. Out of necessity, many labora-
rapid data access? Which book covers
tigy and advances in immunological
tory techniques
the subject of your choice in the depth
con-
encyclopaedia
cepts. One obvious, and welcome, addition to the dictionary is the inclusion of a number
by more-sensitive
of clear illustrations
specific
complement
(30) and tables (7) to
the text. These
range
from
and, by defi-
that have been superseded assays have been omit-
ted, along with details of reagents applications.
some definitions
with
Most
regrettably,
of historical
importance
Textbooks, major reference works or
you
need? All
books
can be found in the Bookstore
such as the spleen and lymph node, to the
be viewed as our ‘immunological
structure of integrins and immunoglobulin genes. The Editors must be thanked for
and will be lost to the new generation of sci-
tures
entist if they do not appear texts of this standing.
Today Online. For more
including pictorial representations of both the classical and alternative complement pathways as I am sure that I am not the only
FEBRUARY
1996
Nevertheless,
the Editors have succeeded
in producing a standard reference text with
of
haven’t had the space to review it, you
have not been included. Such terms could
in reference
in
Immunology To&y Online. Even if we
diagrams of basic immune system organs,
heritage’
reviewed
immunology To&y since January .I994
might find it in the Books Received section. This is just one of many feaaccessible through
Immunology details and
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