The Molecular Biology of Autoimmune Disease [Paperback]

Autoimmune diseases are common and often associated with considerable morbidity or - in diseases such as IDDM, myasthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis - mortality. In this volume, experts of international stature in basic science and clinical medicine with a common interest in understanding the normal and aberrant immune response present their experiences. It was their intention to fur- ther the understanding of potential clinical application of scientific observations and to help to comprehend the huge amount of results in autoimmunity research.Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Molecular Biology and Autoimmune Disease held in Athens, Greece, from April 16-20, 1989Autoimmune diseases are common and often associated with considerable morbidity or - in diseases such as IDDM, myasthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis - mortality. In this volume, experts of international stature in basic science and clinical medicine with a common interest in understanding the normal and aberrant immune response present their experiences. It was their intention to fur- ther the understanding of potential clinical application of scientific observations and to help to comprehend the huge amount of results in autoimmunity research.Session I Structure and Function of Immunoglobulins and Their Genes.- Organisation and Expression of Human VH Genes.- Immunoglobulin Kappa Variable Gene Segment Usage during Ontogeny.- Session II Structure and Function of the T Cell Receptor and Its Genes.- Molecular Analysis of T Lymphocyte Recognition.- T Cell Development in T Cell Receptor Transgenic Mice.- Target Sequences and Accessibility for Chromosomal Translocations Involving T Cell Receptor Genes.- Session III Structure and Function of the MHC and Its Genes.- Structure of Human Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Genes.- Dissection of the Roles of Specific Class II Antigens and Accessory Molecules in Antigen Presentation.- The Fine Specificity of Recognition of Influenza Virus l#˜