This study draws on recent advances in molecular, cellular and organismal biology to provide a detailed analysis of the phylogeny and ontogeny of the immune system. It provides descriptions of cellular and molecular interactions in the development of immune function. Although most of this work is based on studies in vertebrates, the observations of cytokine-like molecules in invertebrates are discussed. In a final section, the contributors deal with abnormalities in the development and regulation of the immune system, including primary immunodeficiency diseases, and with the normal ageing of the immune system. Throughout the book, an effort has been made to compare and integrate information from studies in diverse systems, and to discuss the limitations of such comparisons.
