Until recently, innate immunity was regarded as a relatively nonspecific system designed to engulf and destroy pathogens. However, new studies show that the innate immune system is highly developed in its ability to discriminate between self and foreign entities. Understanding this mechanism can lead to therapeutic strategies based on manipulation

The discovery of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the late 1990s ushered in a new age of discovery for innate immunity. The importance of TLRs for immunology and biomedical research was recognized with the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology in 2011. The prize was shared by three scientists: Ralph Steinman (for the discovery of dendritic cells, whi

Nucleic Acid Sensing and Immunity - PART A, Volume 344, provides a comprehensive overview of the nucleic acid machinery, from plants to mammalians, as well as their regulation. Specific chapters in this updated release include Molecular bases of discrimination between self from non-self nucleic acids, Intracellular RNA sensing in mammalian cells, Nuclear DNA damage and nucleic acid sensing, Negative regulation of nucleic acid sensing, Dendritic cell responses to exogenous nucleic acids, Activating the nucleic acid-sensing machinery for anticancer immunity, and Nucleic acid sensing and inflammasomes, amongst other topics. - Provides an accurate, state-of-the-art resource on RNA sensing - Includes the work of a well-known tumor immunologist - Links intestinal host defense and viral nucleic acid sensing - Presents a chapter on the negative regulation of DNA sensing, a timely topic

The discovery of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the late 1990s ushered in a new age of discovery for innate immunity. The importance of TLRs for immunology and biomedical research was recognized with the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology in 2011. The prize was shared by three scientists: Ralph Steinman (for the discovery of dendritic cells, which express TLRs and whose activation by them provides a link between innate and adaptive immunity), Jules Hoffman (who made the pioneering observation of Toll in fruit fly anti-fungal immunity) and Bruce Beutler (who uncovered the role of TLR4 in the response to LPS). Work on TLRs inspired many researchers, and led to a search for other receptors in innate immunity. There are now several additional families of such receptors known, notably RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) and AIM2-like receptors (ALRs). A notable feature is the detection of nucleic acids from pathogens, but also from host cells in certain contexts, particularly in autoimmune diseases. Nucleic Acid Sensors and Antiviral Immunity presents a timely and extensive account of the detection of nucleic acids in infection and inflammation. We have chapters by Beutler, Hoffman and Shizuo Akira, who is the most cited immunologist of the past ten years, for his work on innate immunity, which gives us an indication of the importance of the field. Several other pioneers in the field present comprehensive and highly lucid up-to-date accounts of their particular interests, revealing the large amount of activity in the past few years, as the literature continues to grow and become ever more complex. The fly yet again provides new insights, and anti-viral mechanisms in this key model organism are described. Other topics include the ability of viruses such as poxviruses, hepatitis C virus and HIV to interfere with detection and signalling; new insights into signalling including subcellular localization of signalling proteins, complex regulation of TLRs and RLRs by ubiquination and negative regulation by miRNAs; and the role of autophagy in antiviral defence. The importance of the RLRs in viral detection is widely reviewed. DNA sensing by ALRs and other receptors is extensively described, and the prospect of additional as yet unknown receptors for DNA debated, revealing a field that is still burgeoning. The prospect of therapeutic utility is covered in the context of using nucleic acids or other compounds as agents to promote anti-viral immunity. This book therefore represents an unprecedented account of this important aspect of immunology, by a stellar cast of authors who have defined the field. We have a key resource which should act as a primary source of information. The chapters will inspire researchers to continue on their quest to provide mechanistic insights into anti-viral innate immunity. The discoveries provide us with new strategies in the never ending war between humanity and viral infection, and will help in the ultimate goal to provide treatments to use against viruses which continue to present a major threat to human health.

Two fields have played a leading role in biomedical research in recent years, the biochemistry of nucleic acids and immunology. Yet, with the exception of those aspects which have been concerned with antibody synthesis as an example of protein synthesis, there was until recently a lack of direct association between the two fields. Until quite recently the antigenicity of nucleic acids was still in doubt and indeed represented a controversial subject. Also, the exact role of the various nucleic acids in various stages of antibody synthesis was uncertain. These skepticisms and uncertainties disappeared rapidly in the last few years. New experi mental approaches brought the realization that nucleic acids, under appropriate conditions, are indeed immunogenic, and that the resulting antibodies can furnish new tools for the exploration of the mplecular structure of the all-important family of nucleic acid molecules. ' At the same time, the recognition of the antigenicity of nucleic acids brought a new level of understanding to certain auto-immune diseases and pro vided new material for the exploration of the role of a carrier in immune responses. Side by side with this development was the almost explosive development of new experimental approaches and new ideas pertaining to the problem of antibody formation. Nucleic acids in their various forms were recognized as playing an expected major role in the activation of antibody-forming cells. Perhaps less to be expected was the role they can playas non-specific stimulators of antibody formation.

Advances in Immunity volume 161 highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors. - Presents current developments and comprehensive reviews in immunology - Provides the latest in a longstanding and respected serial on the subject matter - Focuses on recent advances in immunology