ABSTRACT
Sharks belong to the oldest vertebrate species that possess immune systems similar to that of mammals. This makes them a great model species to study the fundamentals of the mammalian immune system. This book describes the cellular, genetic, and molecular specifics of immune systems in sharks and uses them to understand shark immunity as well as the evolution of immune systems in more recently-evolved vertebrates. Written by global experts, the book will be a resource for immunologists, geneticists, ecologists, evolutionary and conservation biologists, and investigators engaged in shark research.
The Diversity and Natural History of Chondrichthyan Fishes. Athena and the Evolution of Adaptive Immunity. Shark Reproduction, Immune System Development and Maturation. Sites of Immune Cell Production in Elasmobranch Fishes: Lymphomyeloid Tissues and Organs. Elasmobranch Blood Cells. Leukocyte Function in Elasmobranch Species: Phagocytosis, Chemotaxis, and Cytotoxicity. Cytokines of Cartilaginous Fish. Shark Complement: Genes, Proteins and Function. MHC Molecules of Cartilaginous Fishes. Considering V(D)J Recombination in the Shark. Shark Immunoglobulin Light Chains.Shark T-Cell Receptors. The Shark-Family (Cartilaginous Fish) Immunogenome. In Vitro Culture of Elasmobranch Cells. Antimicrobial Molecules of Sharks and Other Elasmobranchs: A Review. Shark-Derived Immunomodulators.
