Natural Resistance to Tumors and Viruses [electronic resource] /

Natural resistance is now coming to be recognized as a potentially important phenomenon in host defense against infection and ma­ lignancy. Genetically controlled resistance mechanisms are usUally effective early in infection and before conventional immune responses are generated. Comparisons of experimental systems where natural resistance plays a prominent role demon­ strate the complexities of the host defense mechanisms involved, as evidenced in the present volume. Nevertheless, some com­ mon components of genetic resistance are discernible and largely comprise natural killer cells, macrophages, and interferon These and additional factors would seem to constitute a first line of de­ fense in host resistance against both viruses and tumors. It is evi­ dent that considerable variation in the relative importance of di­ stinct mechanisms may be found among various resistance sy­ stems and that, most likely, additional effector functions will be discovered. Resistance to tumors and most viruses is under polygenic control, has a complex mode of inheritance, and depends on appro­ priately complex effector mechanisms. Instances, however, whe­ re a single gene locus determines resistance or susceptibility to a virus, as in the case of resistance to flaviviruses or influenza viru­ ses, would seem to offer good prospects for elucidating the basic factors involved. Resistance to influenza virus would indeed seem to represent a comparatively simple situation: resistance is expressed at the host cell level, and interferon is its main media­ tor. The present volume provides insight into current concepts of such resistance mechanisms.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Haller, Otto. editor., SpringerLink (Online service)
Format:	Texto biblioteca
Language:	eng
Published:	Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 1981
Subjects:	Medicine., Immunology., Medical microbiology., Allergy., Biomedicine., Medical Microbiology., Allergology.,
Online Access:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-68069-4
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