The Immune System: A Very Short Introduction

The immune system is central to human health and the focus of much medical research. Growing understanding of the immune system, and especially the creation of immune memory (long lasting protection), which can be harnessed in the design of vaccines, have been major breakthroughs in medicine.

In this Very Short Introduction, Paul Klenerman describes the immune system, and how it works in health and disease. He focuses on the human immune system, how it evolved, the basic rules that govern its behavior, and the major health threats. The immune system includes organs, cells, and chemical messengers working together to defend against infection. Klenerman discusses these components, the signals that trigger them, and their protective effects, including innate responses that react quickly and adaptive responses with vast diversity. He also considers cases of immune failure leading to infections, inherited diseases, and HIV/AIDS, as well as overactive responses causing inflammatory diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, allergies, and asthma. Lastly, he explores advancements in immune therapies and vaccines to combat 21st-century diseases.