New Directions in Invertebrate Immunology

The study of defense systems of invertebrates has drawn increasing attention & fascination in recent years. A considerable range of strategies for recognition & defense against potential pathogens & parasites has been found. Although at the cellular level the invertebrate responses appear to rely in common themes such as phagocytosis & encapsulation, the underlying molecular recognition & effector mechanisms can be quite diverse. From the evolutionary standpoint some of these factors have been substantially conserved through the lineages leading to the cherlates. Hematopoietic disorders, cytotoxic reactions, neuropeptide involvement, production of oxygen intermediates, cytokines, proteinase inhibitors, lectins, prophenoloxidase, clotting cascade, immunoglobulin superfamily proteins, complement-related proteins, ciliate pheromones insect cuticle, virus-insect interactions, insect vector immunity & insect-fungal interaction are among the subjects discussed in this outstanding volume. Chapters were written by leading experts on the selected topics.Soderhall, K. is the author of 'New Directions in Invertebrate Immunology' with ISBN 9780962550591 and ISBN 0962550590.