Reticuloendothelial System in Health and Disease (Functions and Characteristics)

An extraordinary development of the knowledge, concepts and biomedical applications has occurred during the past two decades in the biological sciences, including the Reticuloendothelial System (RES). For example, it is now widely recognized that distinct classes of cells are involved in the recognition of "exogenous" invaders of the body such as microorganisms and other foreign antigens, as well as of "endogenous" parasites represented by transformed neoplastic cells and altered "self" antigens. Prominent among cell populations involved in such recognition of antigens and subsequent immune responses are those constituting the RES. In recent years, there has been much discussion and indeed controversy as to what constitutes such a system and even whether the term "RES" is appropriate. Some investigators feel that the phagocytes are the most important cells of the RES as they play a major role in the defense mechanism of the host. Mononuclear phagocytes include tissue macrophages as well as circulating monocytes and their precursors. Although phagocytosis is a major functional activity, it is only one of their several functions. The important role of phagocytes and other mononuclear cells in antibody formation, cell-mediated immunity, specific and non-specific resistance to microorganisms and tumor cells, as well as homeostatic adjustments in general has become the focus of attention for many investigators. The Reticuloendothelial Society, which is concerned with the advancement of knowledge concerning the many diverse functions of RE cells, organizes national and international meetings and publishes a scientific journal. The Seventh International Congress of the RES Society was held in Pamplona, Spain, together with the First Scientific Meeting of the European RES Society on September 15-20, 1975. The Congress had as its scientific objective a wide range of subjects concerning the RES in health and disease. Special reference was given to macrophage structure, ontogeny and classification of cell populations. Emphasis was placed on the function and biochemistry of macrophages and other cells of the RES in the modulation of the immune response, their role in tumor and transplantation immunology, and their influence in regulating the growth and function of other cell types. The secretion of soluble materials by macrophages and lymphocytes and the mode of action of chemotherapeutic drugs and other agents on RE cell function and immune reactivity were also stres

שנה

1976

שפה

English

הוצאה

Plenum Pub Corp

מהדורות

1

עמודים

495

ISBN

9780306390975

מקור הנתונים: Wikidata