One of the few volumes dedicated to antigen processing, this unique text is not only especially current but also valuable for its description of petentially "hot" areas with its "Future Directions" sections. * Current, important topics covered by this text include: Processing and presentation of foreign and self protein antigens to T lymphocytes Intracellular assembley and transport of MHC proteins Regulation of the assembley and expression of processed antigen-MHC complexes

Processing and Presentation of Antigens brings together the views of immunologists, biochemists, cell biologists, and virologists who have a common interest in the early phases of the immune response. Antigen processing and presentation comprise a series of events that are much more complex and sophisticated than had been thought for a long time, and constitute an essential part of the biology of the immune response to T-dependent protein antigens. The book is organized into seven parts. Part I discusses the major advances and insights in antigen processing, some results on the interaction of antigen with class II MHC molecules, and the precise mechanism involved in antigen processing. Part II presents papers on endosomes, lysosomes, and recycling. Part III deals with studies on presentation in the context of class I MHC molecules. The chapters in Part IV examine interactions of antigens with class II MHC molecules. Part V contains papers on macrophages and dendritic cells as accessory cells. Part VI examines antigen presentation by B cells. Part VII covers studies on T cells.

The Janeway's Immunobiology CD-ROM, Immunobiology Interactive, is included with each book, and can be purchased separately. It contains animations and videos with voiceover narration, as well as the figures from the text for presentation purposes.

Antigen processing and presentation, as a field, explores a broad range of protein interactions and functions, both intracellular (in the cytoplasm and in the endoplasmic reticulum) and at the cell surface (between T cells and MHC molecules). To investigate such a diverse array, it is necessary that biochemical, cell biology, and immunological techniques all be employed. The purpose of Antigen Processing and Presentation Protocols is therefore to detail the most up-to-date techniques being used in this burgeoning field. Such techniques include those used to question how MHC-binding peptides are generated, to test how peptides are delivered to MHC molecules, to analyze MHC peptide-binding patterns, and to assay the T-cell response to MHC/peptide. Antigen Processing and Presentation Protocols should aid both those new and those experienced in this area of research in extending the questions that can be asked and answered by the application of these current methods. For editorial assistance, I would like to thank Angela Beninga and Rachael Turnquist.

This book is centered on a comprehensive list of MHC peptide motifs and ligands as known to date, together with selected T cell epitopes, arranged in an easy-to-read fashion. This information is put into context by chapters on MHC gene organization, MHC structure, T cell epitope prediction, antigen processing and T cell responses. In addition, the book provides a great deal of complementary information: amino acid sequences of MHC class I alpha1 and alpha2 domains and of class II alpha1 and beta1 domains, the established or predicted composition and specificity of MHC pockets, notes on MHC nomenclature including old assignments and reference to useful internet addresses. A handy reference manual that should be helpful for all those dealing with MHC-associated peptides.