Basic and clinical immunology.
Progress in immunology continues to grow exponentially every year. New applications of this knowledge are being developed for a broad range of clinical conditions. Conversely, the study of primary and secondary immunodeficiencies is helping to elucidate the intricate mechanisms of the immune system. We have selected a few of the most significant contributions to the fields of basic and clinical immunology published between October 2001 and October 2002. Our choice of topics in basic immunology included the description of T-bet as a determinant factor for T(H)1 differentiation, the role of the activation-induced cytosine deaminase gene in B-cell development, the characterization of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells, and the use of dynamic imaging to study MHC class II transport and T-cell and dendritic cell membrane interactions. Articles related to clinical immunology that were selected for review include the description of immunodeficiency caused by caspase 8 deficiency; a case series report on X-linked agammaglobulinemia; the mechanism of action, efficacy, and complications of intravenous immunoglobulin; mechanisms of autoimmunity diseases; and advances in HIV pathogenesis and vaccine development. We also reviewed two articles that explore the possible alterations of the immune system caused by spaceflights, a new field with increasing importance as human space expeditions become a reality in the 21st century.
Chinen
Javier
J
Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Shearer
William T
WT
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D043525:Cytosine Deaminase; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D009700:Nucleoside Deaminases / Q000235:genetics; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013026:Space Flight; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors; D009700:Nucleoside Deaminases; D043525:Cytosine Deaminase