Autoimmune Reactions

Autoimmune Reactions tackles fundamental questions about how the immune system can destroy invading microbial pathogens without causing damage to itself and other "self" systems. The authoritative experts writing here explore the mechanistic aspects of such autoimmune diseases as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and autoimmune thyroid disease, and where possible delineate how malfunctioning immunological mechanisms can lead to clinical symptoms. They also discusses possible general mechanisms of autoimmune disease-e.g., molecular mimicry and dysfunctional antigen presentation-and their current limitations as unifying explanations of the diseases described. The book illustrates the type of thinking and research that should eventually permit development of palliatives and cures for autoimmune diseases.

Inhalt
CH. 1. Diversity of Immunological Defects in Autoimmune Disease.- CH. 2. Insights into Mechanisms of Autoimmune Disease Based on Clinical Findings.- CH. 3. Autoimmunity and B-Cell Malignancies.- CH. 4. Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease.- CH. 5. Autoantigens of Sjögren's Syndrome.- CH. 6. Autoimmunity in Patients with Essential Hypertension.- CH. 7. Autoimmune Antigen Presentation Mechanisms.- CH. 8. Induction of Pathogenic Autoimmune T-Cell and Autoantibody Responses Through T-Cell Epitope Mimicry.- CH. 9. T-Cell Antigen Receptor Repertoire in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- CH. 10. The Role of Exogenous Stimulation in Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Diseases.- CH. 11. Dysregulation of the Idiotype Network in Autoimmune Diseases.- CH. 12. The Role of Variable Region Gene Rearrangements in the Generation of Autoantibodies.- CH. 13. Autoantibodies Against Ig Immunoglobulin Framework Epitopes.- CH. 14. Autoantibodies to T-Cell Receptors.- CH. 15. Autoantibody Catalysis.- CH. 16. Is the Catalytic Activity of Bence Jones Proteins an Autoimmune Effector Mechanism in Multiple Myeloma?.- CH. 17. Kidney Damage in Autoimmune Disease.- CH. 18. DNA as Immunogen for the Induction of Immune and Autoimmune Antibody in Mice.- CH. 19. Cellular Entry and Nuclear Localization of Anti-DNA Antibodies.- CH. 20. Cell and Nuclear Penetration by Autoantibodies.- CH. 21. Alcohol, Anesthetics, and Analgesics in Autoimmune Reactivity.- CH. 22. Paraneoplastic Autoimmune Reactions.- CH. 23. The Dual Relationship Between Thymectomy and Autoimmunity: The Kaleidoscope of Autoimmune Disease.- CH. 24. Mechanisms of Action of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVGg) in Immune-Mediated Diseases.- CH. 25. Mucosal Immunization for Induction of Tolerance to Autoantigens.