William R. Clark
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195336634
- eISBN:
- 9780199868568
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195336634.003.0005
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
This chapter deals with the body's response to disease caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, or other microbes. The fundamental response is based on inflammation, which is mediated by the ...
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This chapter deals with the body's response to disease caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, or other microbes. The fundamental response is based on inflammation, which is mediated by the evolutionarily oldest elements of the immune system refered to as innate immunity (as opposed to adaptive immunity). Innate immunity is described in detail, and it is shown how it is greatly amplified by cells of the adaptive immune system: T and B cells. The role of dendritic cells and class I MHC molecules is discussed. The chapter also looks more closely at how T cells deal with intracellular invasion by microbes (intracellular parasites).Less
This chapter deals with the body's response to disease caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, or other microbes. The fundamental response is based on inflammation, which is mediated by the evolutionarily oldest elements of the immune system refered to as innate immunity (as opposed to adaptive immunity). Innate immunity is described in detail, and it is shown how it is greatly amplified by cells of the adaptive immune system: T and B cells. The role of dendritic cells and class I MHC molecules is discussed. The chapter also looks more closely at how T cells deal with intracellular invasion by microbes (intracellular parasites).
Julian C. Knight
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199227693
- eISBN:
- 9780191711015
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199227693.003.0012
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
The Major Histocompatibility Complex on chromosome 6 encodes a diverse array of genes involved in the immune and inflammatory response. The region is remarkably polymorphic and has been associated ...
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The Major Histocompatibility Complex on chromosome 6 encodes a diverse array of genes involved in the immune and inflammatory response. The region is remarkably polymorphic and has been associated with susceptibility to autoimmune and infectious disease. The approaches to defining and understanding the nature and consequences of genetic diversity in the MHC are reviewed in terms of the biology of encoded molecules, evolutionary selective pressures and relationship to disease. Progress in haplotypic analysis of the MHC, resequencing and fine mapping are discussed together with insights from structural biology and detailed functional characterisation of the consequences of genetic diversity. The role of genetic variation in the MHC for a number of specific diseases are reviewed including rheumatoid arthritis, haemochromatosis, type 1 diabetes, coeliac disease, narcolepsy and sarcoidosis with emphasis on progress in defining the functional basis of disease associations, for example modulation of alternative splicing by genetic variation associated with sarcoidosis.Less
The Major Histocompatibility Complex on chromosome 6 encodes a diverse array of genes involved in the immune and inflammatory response. The region is remarkably polymorphic and has been associated with susceptibility to autoimmune and infectious disease. The approaches to defining and understanding the nature and consequences of genetic diversity in the MHC are reviewed in terms of the biology of encoded molecules, evolutionary selective pressures and relationship to disease. Progress in haplotypic analysis of the MHC, resequencing and fine mapping are discussed together with insights from structural biology and detailed functional characterisation of the consequences of genetic diversity. The role of genetic variation in the MHC for a number of specific diseases are reviewed including rheumatoid arthritis, haemochromatosis, type 1 diabetes, coeliac disease, narcolepsy and sarcoidosis with emphasis on progress in defining the functional basis of disease associations, for example modulation of alternative splicing by genetic variation associated with sarcoidosis.
Dagan A. Loisel, Susan C. Alberts, and Carole Ober
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- April 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199207466
- eISBN:
- 9780191728167
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199207466.003.0008
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
This chapter surveys connections between the nervous system and the immune system, and suggests that their connections mediate many significant health outcomes. The nervous and immune systems are ...
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This chapter surveys connections between the nervous system and the immune system, and suggests that their connections mediate many significant health outcomes. The nervous and immune systems are intimately connected by shared developmental, functional and biochemical pathways. The extraordinary diversity and remarkable evolution of MHC genes have been influenced by several distinct forces, including pathogen-mediated selection, and sexual and reproductive selection. MHC diversity influences the risk and progression of infectious, reproductive, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. MHC genes play a significant role in olfactory communication, behavior, and mate choice in vertebrates, including humans. The unique evolution of MHC genes contributed to the prevalence of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in modern human populations.Less
This chapter surveys connections between the nervous system and the immune system, and suggests that their connections mediate many significant health outcomes. The nervous and immune systems are intimately connected by shared developmental, functional and biochemical pathways. The extraordinary diversity and remarkable evolution of MHC genes have been influenced by several distinct forces, including pathogen-mediated selection, and sexual and reproductive selection. MHC diversity influences the risk and progression of infectious, reproductive, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. MHC genes play a significant role in olfactory communication, behavior, and mate choice in vertebrates, including humans. The unique evolution of MHC genes contributed to the prevalence of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in modern human populations.
