At long last, the first book to cover all important areas of interferon science in one volume. Top scientists, including many pioneers in the field, highlight the role of interferons as research tools and as therapeutic agents in clinical applications. Edited by an experienced interferonologist, chapters include discussions of interferon genes, Type I, II and III IFNs, as well as their induction, production and purification, receptors actions, measuring IFN activities and anti-IFN antibodies, as well as the evolution of viral defense mechanisms. For immunologists, cancer researchers, medicinal chemists, cell biologists, developmental biologists and the pharmaceutical industry.

This book is an update of Interferon, published in 1969 by Dr. Jan Vilcek. The field of interferon research has since expanded from its former narrow treatment of interferon strictly as an antiviral substance, such that The Interferon System now encompasses cellular modulations ranging from immune alterations to cell proliferative restrictions to antitumor activities. The steadily increasing number of these non-antiviral functions of interferons emphasizes the need for a comprehensive - and critical - review of the entire literature of interferon studies. The text, with its supporting bibliography, provides complete coverage of interferon research. A newcomer to the area should find here all the informa tion necessary to understand why interferon, which has been studied for more than twenty years and which originally stirred excitement over its clinical pros pects, is still inspiring speculation about this potential. For those already fa miliar with the seemingly perpetual clinical promise of interferon, this volume should serve as a valuable reference source, the largest bibliography on the subject ever to appear under one cover. Clearly, this book should be considered only as an introduction to the topic and as a reference source; most questions about the interferon system are still unanswered - even unasked. Hopefully this summation and critical evalua tion of work done to date will stimulate and facilitate further progress. William E. Stewart II New York, N. Y., February 1979 Contents I. Introduction ............................................................. .

Milton Taylor, Indiana University, offers an easy-to-read and fascinating text describing the impact of viruses on human society. The book starts with an analysis of the profound effect that viral epidemics had on world history resulting in demographic upheavals by destroying total populations. It also provides a brief history of virology and immunology. Furthermore, the use of viruses for the treatment of cancer (viral oncolysis or virotherapy) and bacterial diseases (phage therapy) and as vectors in gene therapy is discussed in detail. Several chapters focus on viral diseases such as smallpox, influenza, polio, hepatitis and their control, as well as on HIV and AIDS and on some emerging viruses with an interesting story attached to their discovery or vaccine development. The book closes with a chapter on biological weapons. It will serve as an invaluable source of information for beginners in the field of virology as well as for experienced virologists, other academics, students, and readers without prior knowledge of virology or molecular biology.

Interferons (IFN) belong to the family of cytokines and have been described first in the late 1950s as an inhibitory factor of viral replication. Since then, the impact of interferon has been greatly expanded and its function comprises a role not only in different types of infection, cancer and autoimmunity but importantly also in immunehomeostasis. IFN have important anti-viral effects but it is becoming more and more evident that they are true immunomodulators and have an important impact on the development and maintenance of innate and adaptive immunity.

This book explores the important role of the interferons in infections due to nonviral intracellular pathogens. It deals with the induction of interferons by a variety of intracellular microorganisms and the effects of interferons on the host cells and the microorganisms.