Virology

"...what distinguishes this book from others is the author's fascination with the diversity of the viruses and their adaptation to the condition of the host organism. And he takes the reader on his journey through the exciting world of viruses." -Pharmazie in unserer Zeit, 4/2010 (review in German)

Table of Contents Part I. Introduction 1. A Selective History on the Nature of Viruses Introduction The Early Years: Discoverers and Pioneers The First Stirrings of the Molecular Era The Phage Group Phage Growth: Eclipse and Replication Defining Viruses Are Viruses Alive? Origin of Viruses The Modern Era of Animal Virology 2. Biosynthesis of Viruses: An Introduction to Virus Classification T-Even Bacteriophages as a Model System T-Even Phage Structure and Entry Sequence of Phage Biosynthetic Events Phage Protein Synthesis RNA Metabolism in Infected Cells Assembly of Progeny Phages Packaging DNA within the Phage Particle Unique Features of T-Even Phages Modified Bases Regulated Gene Expression Phage Release: Lysozyme and the rII Region Bacteriophage Lambda: Lysogeny and Transduction Some Final Comments on Bacteriophages Introduction to the Animal Viruses Animal Virus Structure Entry of Animal Viruses The Families of Animal Viruses: Principles of Classification Viral Genetic Systems: The Baltimore Classification Scheme 3. Modes of Virus Infection and Disease Introduction Portals of Entry Routes of Dissemination Hematogenous and Neural Dissemination The Placenta and the Fetus Acute versus Persistent Infections Acute Infections Persistent Infections Slow Infections Chronic Infections Latent Infections Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies: Prions 4. Host Defenses and Viral Countermeasures Introduction Overview of Defenses Physical Barriers against Infection The Innate Immune System Cytokines: the Interferons Cytokines: TNF-[alpha], Some Other Cytokines, and Inflammation Macrophages, Neutrophils, and NK Cells and ADCC The Complement System Viral Evasion of Innate Immunity Evasion of Interferons Evasion of Cytokines Evasion of NK Cells and ADCC Evasion of Complement APOBEC3G and the HIV Vif Protein The Adaptive Immune System Antibodies and B Cells Antibody Diversity Viral Evasion of Antibodies Cell-Mediated Immunity Antigen Presentation by MHC Class I Molecules Antigen Presentation by MHC Class II Molecules The Rationale for MHC Restriction Activation of Helper T Cells: Dendritic Cells and B Cells Activation of B Cells Activation of CTLs Mechanism of Action of CTLs T Cells and Antiviral Cytokines Viral Evasion of Cell-Mediated Immunity Inhibition of Antigen Presentation to CTLs Inhibition of Antigen Presentation to Helper T Cells Inhibition of Apoptosis Immunological Memory Self Tolerance The Immune System in Disease Immunopathology Autoimmune Disease Part II. Virus Replication and Pathogenesis subpart RNA Viruses: Double-Stranded 5. Reoviruses Introduction Structure, Binding, Entry, and Uncoating Reovirus Binding and Entry i