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.

chapter Chapter 4|10 pages

Sites of Immune Cell Production in Elasmobranch Fishes

Lymphomyeloid Tissues and Organs

chapter Chapter 6|17 pages

Leukocyte Function in Elasmobranch Species

Phagocytosis, Chemotaxis, and Cytotoxicity

chapter Chapter 8|29 pages

Shark Complement

Genes, Proteins and Function

chapter Chapter 12|12 pages

Shark T-Cell Receptors