Jiri Mestecky - Böcker

Mucosal Immunology, now in its fourth edition, is the only comprehensive reference covering the basic science and clinical manifestations of mucosal immunology. Most infectious agents enter the body through the various mucous membranes, and many common infections take place in or on mucous membranes, making this subject an area of singular importance in the field of immunology. This book contains new research data, exceptional illustrations, original theory, a new perspective, and excellent organization. It covers immune system topics, such as inductive and effector tissues and cells, and development and physiology of the mucosal barrier; diseases in the digestive system, respiratory tract, and genitourinary tract; and immunodeficiency.

The International Symposium on the Immunoglobulin A System was organized in observance of the twenty-fifth anni­ versary of the School of Dentistry of the University of Ala­ bama in Birmingham. Immunoglobulin A was chosen as the sub­ ject of the Symposium because of its broad scope in relation to all biologic sciences, as well as for its particular rele­ vance to prevention of the most common human disease--dental caries. More than 500 scientists, from 13 countries, met in Birmingham, Alabama to review critically past and current research on IgA and to outline goals for integrating future investigations of the many facets of the IgA system. It is our pleasure to express sincere appreciation to the following, whose efforts made the Symposium possible: to Dr. Sidney B. Finn, Chairman, and all members of the Twenty­ fifth Anniversary Planning Committee for their advice and assistance; to Dr. Charles A. McCallum, Dean of the School of Dentistry, for his enthusiastic approval and support; to Dr. Frederick W. Kraus, Symposium Chairman, for the countless hours of meticulous planning that ensured the smooth execution of the Symposium; to Ms. Tonnia C. Maddox whose unstinting dedication was indispensable to the organizational success of the meeting; to those who assisted with the transcription of manuscripts and discussions: Ms. Shirley Snow, Ms. Jan Allen, Ms. Janice Buchanan, Ms. Joy Fisher, Ms. Pam Honeycutt, Ms. Mary Huckabee, Ms. Charlotte Hughes, Mr. Stephen Miles, Ms.

The Seventh International Congress of Mucosal Immunology held in Prague, the beautiful old capital of The Czech Republic, 16-20 August 1992, was the first to be sponsored by the Society for Mucosal Immunology, and was the largest since their inception 20 years earlier in Birmingham, Alabama. It was attended by 624 participants who gave 538 presentations, more than 10 times the numbers of the first meeting; these proceedings contain 354 papers that were submitted for publication. The political events in Europe that made it possible to hold this Congress in Prague also allowed for the first time the participation of large numbers of scientists from Eastern Europe, as weil as from Asia, and the organizers were truly gratified by this happy circumstance. It is now clear not only that mucosal immunityencompasses the huge area of mucosal surfaces and most physiological organ systems, but also that mucosal immunology extends over the whole global surface and all continents! The sheer size of the Congress and number of manuscripts unfortunately entailed some unexpected problems in editing and assembling the proceedings, partly due to the diversity of linguistic styles not represented at earlier meetings, and we apologize to the authors who have patiently awaited the publication of their contributions.

In the course of history, humans have attempted to interrupt the physiological and psychological bond formed between a nursing mother and her child by substituting breastfeeding with artificial formulas. A growing body of evidence indicates that breast milk, quite apart from its unsurpassed nutritive value, contains a large number of substances that protect the offspring from common infectious agents and allergens and promote the maturation of the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system. In addition to well described milk antibodies and soluble mediators of innate immunity, milk cells and pluripotent secreted factors - cytokines - are currently in the forefront of extensive research with respect to their importance in milk immunology. The purpose of this conference was to critically evaluate the current state of our knowledge concerning the protective role of immune agents found in milk, to provide up-to-date information of milk factors with respect to their role in the maturation of immunological defense systems in the neonate, and to reassess the importance of breastfeeding in the prevention of allergies in formula-fed infants. We hope that the work presented by international participants will prompt many new ideas and stimulate further research in this important area. This conference was sponsored primarily by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. We would like to thank Drs. Sumner Yaffe and Delbert Dayton for their efforts with the organization, planning, and support of this conference.

Increasing interest in the immunology of mucosal surfaces is obvious from the number of publications in scientific journals and from the frequency of national and international symposia devoted to this subject. Particularly encouraging are the large numbers of young investigators who have chosen to work in this area of theoretical immunology with profound practical implications. The two volumes represented here are the result of an International Congress Of Mucosal Immunology held at the Niagara Falls Convention Center and the Niagara Falls Hilton on June 29 - July 3, 1986. This satellite meeting of the International Congress of Immunology placed emphasis on all aspects of the Mucosal Immune System. This included the regulation of differentiation of mucosal lymphocytes, mucosa-associated lymphoreticular tissue and lymphocyte homing, the immunology of mucosa­ associated tissues and glands, effector functions in mucosal immunity, and the effects of environmental antigens on the immune response, all of which are included in Volume I. The second volume has emphasized studies of the immune response and effector functions, IgA biosynthesis and transport, IgA proteases and effector functions, developmental aspects and immunodeficiency, the immunopathology of IgA and mucosal immunoprophylaxis. A total of 218 papers are included in these two volumes and a comparison to past meetings held at four to five year intervals indicates the explosive growth of mucosal immunology.