Abstract

Processing and Presentation of Antigens brings together the views of immunologists, biochemists, cell biologists, and virologists who have a common interest in the early phases of the immune response. Antigen processing and presentation comprise a series of events that are much more complex and sophisticated than had been thought for a long time, and constitute an essential part of the biology of the immune response to T-dependent protein antigens.
The book is organized into seven parts. Part I discusses the major advances and insights in antigen processing, some results on the interaction of antigen with class II MHC molecules, and the precise mechanism involved in antigen processing. Part II presents papers on endosomes, lysosomes, and recycling. Part III deals with studies on presentation in the context of class I MHC molecules. The chapters in Part IV examine interactions of antigens with class II MHC molecules. Part V contains papers on macrophages and dendritic cells as accessory cells. Part VI examines antigen presentation by B cells. Part VII covers studies on T cells.