Viroceptors, Virokines and Related Immune Modulators Encoded by DNA Viruses

Susan C. Baker

This is an interesting new book that brings together much of the current information on viroceptors and virokines, proteins encoded by DNA viruses that are important modulators of the immune response to virus infection. The contributors are experts in the field and present the information in review form and also offer perspectives and insights to the research. The purpose is to update readers on how virus-encoded modulators are identified and how these modulators function during the immune response to virus infection. Virus-encoded immunomodulators were discovered in the 1980s and 1990s and have become an exciting and rapidly expanding area of investigation. This is an important and timely topic area, and the book meets its overall objective. This book will be especially useful for graduate students and researchers in the fields of virology and immunomodulation. It is written for a broad audience encompassing a variety of disciplines: immunology, virology, and molecular biology. Each chapter reviews essential background information for understanding the specific viral immunomodulator. The book includes reviews of the immunoregulatory proteins of poxviruses such as interleukin-1 receptors, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors, interferon gamma receptors, complement control proteins and "serpins" (serine proteinase inhibitors) in the first six chapters. Individual chapters are then devoted to immunomodulator proteins of herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpesvirus Saimiri, adenoviruses, African swine fever virus, and cytomegalovirus. Numerous diagrams and up-to-date references are particularly helpful for those who become caught up in this rapidly expanding field. This is anexcellent book for students and researchers interested in the interplay between viruses and the immune response. It brings together current knowledge of how a variety of DNA viruses have evolved to evade, suppress, counteract, or otherwise confound the host immune response to a foreign invader.

Booknews

Presents the current understanding of how virus-encoded modulators function in relation to the host immune system. Among the topics in 12 chapters: poxvirus growth factors; inhibition of complement activation by vaccinia virus; inhibition of humoral and cellular immune recognition by herpes simplex viruses; strategies of immune modulation by adenoviruses; African swine fever virus membrane- associated and secreted proteins; and cytomegalovirus encodes a functional receptor for C-C chemokines. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

From The Critics

Reviewer: Susan C. Baker, PhD(Loyola University Medical Center)
Description: This is an interesting new book that brings together much of the current information on viroceptors and virokines, proteins encoded by DNA viruses that are important modulators of the immune response to virus infection. The contributors are experts in the field and present the information in review form and also offer perspectives and insights to the research.
Purpose: The purpose is to update readers on how virus-encoded modulators are identified and how these modulators function during the immune response to virus infection. Virus-encoded immunomodulators were discovered in the 1980s and 1990s and have become an exciting and rapidly expanding area of investigation. This is an important and timely topic area, and the book meets its overall objective.
Audience: This book will be especially useful for graduate students and researchers in the fields of virology and immunomodulation. It is written for a broad audience encompassing a variety of disciplines: immunology, virology, and molecular biology. Each chapter reviews essential background information for understanding the specific viral immunomodulator.
Features: The book includes reviews of the immunoregulatory proteins of poxviruses such as interleukin-1 receptors, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors, interferon gamma receptors, complement control proteins and "serpins" (serine proteinase inhibitors) in the first six chapters. Individual chapters are then devoted to immunomodulator proteins of herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpesvirus Saimiri, adenoviruses, African swine fever virus, and cytomegalovirus. Numerous diagrams and up-to-date references are particularly helpful for those who become caught up in this rapidly expanding field.
Assessment: This is an excellent book for students and researchers interested in the interplay between viruses and the immune response. It brings together current knowledge of how a variety of DNA viruses have evolved to evade, suppress, counteract, or otherwise confound the host immune response to a foreign invader.

3 Stars from Doody