The dictionary of immunology (4th edn)

The dictionary of immunology (4th edn)

IMMUNOLOGY deviation as expressed TODAY by a cytokine shift; (3) expression of MHC genes on reproductive organs, embryo and cytotrophoblast (4) pr...

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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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