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Part of the book series: Molecular and Integrative Toxicology ((MOLECUL))

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Abstract

Familiarity with basic immunobiology has long been necessary for the interpretation of xenobiotic-related changes in non-clinical toxicology studies. However, that requirement has become even more critical in the current era of biopharmaceutical development, wherein the candidate drugs may cause immunomodulation as a desired pharmacological endpoint. In these latter studies the toxicologic pathologist and toxicologist must distinguish between direct pharmacological effects, excessive pharmacological effects, off-target effects, or effects that are secondary to the intended pharmacological effects. In many studies the pathology observations are complicated by stress influences on the test animals, and in juvenile toxicology studies there is the additional variable of postnatal organ development. The aim of this chapter is to provide toxicologists and toxicologic pathologists with a brief overview of the salient immunologic concepts, structures, cells and physiologic processes. Current review-type references are provided for further insight into the various components of this immense topic.

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Acknowledgements

Preparation of figures by Cynthia Swanson, M.S. is gratefully acknowledged.

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Correspondence to George A. Parker .

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© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

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Parker, G.A., Papenfuss, T.L. (2017). Basic Immunobiology. In: Parker, G. (eds) Immunopathology in Toxicology and Drug Development. Molecular and Integrative Toxicology. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47377-2_1

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