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The immune response is largely dependent on molecular inter actions involving proteins. The recognition of antigen molecules, whether they are proteins or non-proteins, whether they are self or non-self, takes place at the molecular-cellular interface through membrane receptor molecules that are proteins. The initial step of recognition activates a complex series of cellular events requiring some mechanism of cell-cell interactions and communi cations, eventually leading to antibody production. This biolo gical cascade is controlled at several positions along its con secutive pathways by protein molecules, either in the free form or as receptors on membranes of cells committed to this activity. Clearly, then, the proper understanding of the response by cells of the immune system will depend, to a great measure, on the definition of the molecular events involving protein interactions. Obviously, cells work via molecules and molecules work via cells and, at this level of functional resolution, molecular immunology and cellular immunology will merge and will depend heavily on protein chemistry.
List of contents
Molecular Aspects of T- and B-Cell Recognition of Protein Antigens.- 1 Autoimmunity to Myelin Basic Protein.- 2 The Use of Hybridoma Antibodies to Probe the Antigenic Determinants of Thyroglobulin.- 3 The Major B and T Cell Determinant on Pigeon Cytochrome c in B10.A Mice.- 4 Helper T Cells Specific for Protein Antigens: Role of Self Major Histocompatibility Complex and Immunoglobulin Gene Products.- 5 Dissection of the Molecular Parameters for T-Cell Recognition of a Myoglobin Antigenic Site.- Genetic Control of the Immune Response to Proteins and Peptides.- 6 Genetic Control and Intersite Influences in the Immune Response to Sperm Whale Myoglobin.- 7 Genetic Control of the Immune Response to Hemoglobin and Its Subunits.- 8 Immune Response Gene Control of T Dependent Reactivity to Collagen in Man.- Regulation of the Immune Response.- 9 Myoglobin-Reactive T-Cell Clones.- 10 Use of T Cell Hybridomas in the Analysis of Helper T Cell Functions in B Cell Responses.- 11 Regulation of Growth and Differentiation in B Cell Clones and Hybrid.- 12 Immunological Studies with Tobacco Mosaic Virus Protein: Differential Activation of B Cell Subpopulations.- 13 Antigen Bridging in the Interaction of T Helper Cells and B Cells.
