Nucleic Acids in Innate Immunity
Contributors: Ken J. Ishii (Editor); Shizuo Akira (Editor)
Publisher: CRC; CRC Press
Published: May 20, 2008
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 384
ISBN-13: 9781420068252
Subjects: Infectious & contagious diseases; Microbiology (non-medical); Medical; Medical / Nursing; Immunology; Medical / Immunology; Infectious Diseases; Life Sciences - Biology - Microbiology; Immunity, Natural; Natural immunity; Nucleic acids; physiology
Description: 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 of this previously unexploited branch of the immune system. Drawing on the research of leading experts, Nucleic Acids in Innate Immunity provides insight in this new area of immunology. The book begins by explaining the roles of nucleic acids in immunity, describing the mechanism of discrimination based on pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), Nod-like receptors (NLR), and RIG-I-like receptors (RLR). Chapters discuss how these PRRs recognize and respond to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by activating specific signaling pathways. Providing a comprehensive review of nucleic acid recognition and regulation by the innate immune system, this work reveals new directions for future research in immune modulation.