How the Immune System Works, 7th Edition

How the Immune System Works provides a concise and accessible overview of how the immune system protects us from disease, with an entirely new chapter on COVID-19 and up-to-date information on vaccines, immunotherapies, immunological memory, cancer, and more. It is a must-have for medical students, bioscience students, veterinary students, nursing students, researchers, and general readers interested in the subject.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 10 November 2022
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from harmful pathogens. It is composed of two main components: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system.

The innate immune system provides a rapid response to pathogens and is composed of cells that can recognize and destroy them without the help of specific antibodies. It includes natural killer cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells.

The adaptive immune system, on the other hand, provides a more targeted response to pathogens and is composed of cells that can produce specific antibodies to recognize and destroy them. It includes B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells.

The immune system is constantly monitoring the body for signs of infection and responding accordingly. When a pathogen enters the body, the innate immune system responds by releasing cytokines and other chemicals to recruit immune cells to the site of infection. The adaptive immune system then responds by producing specific antibodies to neutralize the pathogen or destroy it.

The immune system is also important in maintaining the body's homeostasis, or balance of cells and chemicals. It helps to regulate the immune response and prevent the overproduction of immune cells that can cause inflammation and disease.

There are many different types of immune cells, each with its own unique function. B cells, for example, produce antibodies that can neutralize pathogens and trigger the adaptive immune response. T cells, on the other hand, can recognize and destroy infected cells and can also produce cytokines that help to regulate the immune response.

The immune system is also important in the development of autoimmune diseases, where the body's immune cells attack its own cells and tissues. Autoimmune diseases can include conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.

In addition to its role in protecting the body from pathogens, the immune system is also important in the development of cancer. Some types of cancer can evade the immune system and grow uncontrollably, while others can be treated with immunotherapy, which uses the immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells.

Overall, the immune system is a complex and important system that plays a critical role in maintaining the health and well-being of the body. Understanding how it works is essential for preventing and treating diseases and for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from harmful pathogens. It is composed of two main components: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system.

The innate immune system provides a rapid response to pathogens and is composed of cells that can recognize and destroy them without the help of specific antibodies. It includes natural killer cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells.

The adaptive immune system, on the other hand, provides a more targeted response to pathogens and is composed of cells that can produce specific antibodies to recognize and destroy them. It includes B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells.

The immune system is constantly monitoring the body for signs of infection and responding accordingly. When a pathogen enters the body, the innate immune system responds by releasing cytokines and other chemicals to recruit immune cells to the site of infection. The adaptive immune system then responds by producing specific antibodies to neutralize the pathogen or destroy it.

The immune system is also important in maintaining the body's homeostasis, or balance of cells and chemicals. It helps to regulate the immune response and prevent the overproduction of immune cells that can cause inflammation and disease.

There are many different types of immune cells, each with its own unique function. B cells, for example, produce antibodies that can neutralize pathogens and trigger the adaptive immune response. T cells, on the other hand, can recognize and destroy infected cells and can also produce cytokines that help to regulate the immune response.

The immune system is also important in the development of autoimmune diseases, where the body's immune cells attack its own cells and tissues. Autoimmune diseases can include conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.

In addition to its role in protecting the body from pathogens, the immune system is also important in the development of cancer. Some types of cancer can evade the immune system and grow uncontrollably, while others can be treated with immunotherapy, which uses the immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells.

Overall, the immune system is a complex and important system that plays a critical role in maintaining the health and well-being of the body. Understanding how it works is essential for preventing and treating diseases and for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Reviews of the previous edition:

“The voice of the author is one of a true teacher whose enthusiasm for the subject is contagious. There are far too many dry ‘academic, or ‘scientific textbooks around and this book felt very fresh in comparison.”

—Medical Student, University of Texas, South Western Medical Center at Dallas

“This is the book that every student (regardless of level) should read as he or she begins to study immunology.”

—Daniel G. Tenen, M.D. Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Weight: 514g
Dimension: 275 x 217 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781119890683