Includes index

Introduction to the immune system : the nomenclature, general properties, and components of the immune system -- Innate immunity : the early defense against infections -- Antigen capture and presentation to lymphoctyes : what lymphocytes see -- Antigen recognition in the adaptive immune system : structure of lymphocyte antigen receptors and the development of immune repertoires. Cell-mediated immune responses : activation of T lymphocytes by cell-associated microbes -- Effector mechanisms of cell-mediated immunity : eradication of intracellular microbes -- Humoral immune responses : activation of B lymphocytes and production of antibodies -- Effector mechanisms of humoral immunity : the elimination of extracellular microbes and toxins. Immunological tolerance and autoimmunity : self-nonself discrimination in the immune system and its failure -- Immune responses against tumors and transplants : immunity to noninfectious transformed and foreign cells -- Hypersensitivity diseases : disorders caused by immune responses -- Congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies : diseases caused by defective immune responses.