Contribution in an anthology

Appeared in: Encyclopedia of molecular pharmacology, Vol. 1, A-L

Editor list: Offermanns, S; Rosenthal, W

Publication year: 2008

Pages: 612-617

ISBN: 978-3-540-38916-3

eISBN: 978-3-540-38918-7

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-38918-7_4

Edition: 2nd Edition

Title of series: Springer reference

Abstract: 

Immune defense is the ability of higher organisms to identify and combat potentially harmful microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and helminths by highly sophisticated mechanisms involving soluble factors ( Humoral Immunity) and immune competent cells ( Cellular Immunity). In humans two arms of the  Immune System exist that comprise the innate immune response and the adaptive immune response. The latter is characterized by a high specificity as an immunological memory‐enabling adaptation to a given microbial environment. Mechanisms of immune defense are also utilized to identify and eliminate injured tissue or (neoplastic) tumor cells.

Harvard Citation style: Martin, M. and Resch, K. (2008) Immune Defense, in Offermanns, S. and Rosenthal, W. (eds.) Encyclopedia of molecular pharmacology, Vol. 1, A-L. 2nd Edition. Berlin: Springer, pp. 612-617. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-38918-7_4

APA Citation style: Martin, M., & Resch, K. (2008). Immune Defense. In Offermanns, S., & Rosenthal, W. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of molecular pharmacology, Vol. 1, A-L (2nd Edition, pp. 612-617). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-38918-7_4