Immunological Aspects of Renal Disease

This book examines renal disease from an immunological perspective; it has been designed to be suitable both as an introductory overview of the area, as well as a guide to further reading. Following an introductory chapter, which discusses general immunological principles of particular relevance to autoimmunity and immunological mechanisms of renal injury, each of the major forms of renal disease with a significant immunopathogenesis is considered. The immunogenetics of each condition is reviewed, followed by a discussion of the immunopathology in animal models and in human disease. A section on therapeutic aspects of immunological relevance is followed by a concluding section which contains more speculative material. A final chapter summarises the various therapeutic strategies available. The volume is suitable for consultants and clinicians in training, particularly in the areas of nephrology and immunology, and for basic scientists working on relevant animal models, autoimmunity and renal disease.