Michael B.A. Oldstone

Hilary Koprowski

Although retroviruses have long been associated with a variety of animal diseases, active research in the field of human retroviruses dates from the discovery of human immunodefici ency virus (HIV) in association with acquired immunodefici ency syndrome (AIDS). The enormous research efforts in this field have been directed toward understanding the nature of the virus and toward its elimination through preventive vaccin ation and the cure of the disease. Human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-l) was the first member of the human retrovirus family to be discovered. It was implicated as the cause of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) even before the association of HIV and AIDS was established. Research on HTL V -1 has, however, been lagging behind that of HIV because of the importance of AIDS. Today HTLV-1 and possibly closely related HTLV-2 are associated with a variety of human neurologic diseases, and research activities in this field may show that human retroviruses can cause a variety of human diseases in addition to those affecting the nervous system. Papers in this volume attempt to acquaint the reader with the present state of research into retrovirus infection and related diseases of the nervous system.

Current and Future Perspectives

Retrovirus Infections of the Nervous System

P.K. Vogt

Irvin S.Y. Chen

A. Srinivasan

The coding domains of simple retrovirus genomes direct the synthesis of virion proteins. Complex retroviral genomes generate in addition to virion proteins regulatory transacting proteins that are translated from multiple spliced messenger RNAs and fulfill important functions in the virus life cycle. All human retroviruses have such complex genomes. The transacting proteins of these pathogens are attractive targets for therapeutic intervention because they are viral specific, are essential for efficient virus replication and may be mediators of viral pathogenicity. In summarizing the current knowledge on the regulatory transacting proteins of human retroviruses this volume makes an important contribution toward the control of virus disease.

Transacting Functions of Human Retroviruses

Fritz Melchers

The diversity of antigen-binding structures of antibody molecules is so vast that every conceivable antigen can be bound by an antibody molecule within the immune system. This is true even for the antigen binding sites of antibodies called idiotypes, which are bound by complementary bind ing sites of other antibodies called anti-idiotypes. Thus, anti-idiotypes are structural homologues of antigens. These idiotypic-anti-idiotypic interactions constitute a network within the immune system. Since one lymphocyte produces only one type of antibody molecule, this network is in fact a network of cells. We expect that the network is functional: the appearance of antigen will disturb the equilibrium of the network at the point where it competes with the anti idiotypic lymphocyte for binding to the idiotypic lympho cyte. It has been known for quite some time that anti idiotypic antibody can be used to prime the immune system for memory to an antigen that it has never seen. This phe nomenon is now being explored for possible use in immuni zation against viruses, bacteria, parasites and tumors as well as for the modulation of autoimmunity. The ability of anti-idiotypes to mimic, both antigenically and function ally, the corresponding biologically active molecules seen by an idiotypic antibody was first demonstrated for the hormone insulin and is now being observed in many other systems. The papers assembled in this volume· bring the reader to the cutting edge of the potential practical applica tions of the network theory of the immune system.

Their Use in Biology and Medicine

Images of Biologically Active Structures in the Immune System

Michael B. A. Oldstone

Built upon the foundation of Paul de Kruif's Microbe Hunters, written in 1926, but differing in that the conquest unfolds through essays by today's scientists, this book not only relates the history, but also conveys the excitement felt by the individual researchers themselves. These dramatic stories, describing major accomplishments and future challenges in medical science, serve as a beacon to guide new recruits into the battle for control of microbial diseases and provide personal models for graduate and postdoctoral students currently in biomedical research. "There are some fine ingredients here, and it is good to have them together in a single volume embracing past achievements and current and emerging problems in the control of infectious diseases." Especially enjoyed Thomas Weller's account, complete with pages of laboratory notebook, of his isolation of the agent(s) of varicella and zoster. Bernard Dixon, British Medical Journal. "The authors, all distinguished and well-known scientists, recognize the difficult challenges that lie ahead, but in general hold an optimistic view of the outcome of future research." Microbe Hunters then and now is both interesting and enjoyable to read, a timely sequel to de Kruif's original book and a solid historical document written by the microbe hunters themselves. Abner L. Notkins, Nature Medicine. To order, call: (800) 500-8205 or write: MEDI-ED Press, #5 White Place, Bloomington, IL 61701.

Hilary Koprowski

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