SELECTED RESEARCH ON CAMELID IMMUNOLOGY

Editors: T.K. Gahlot

ISBN-81-903140-4-1

First Edition 2016

Published by Camel Publishing House, Bikaner, India

“SELECTED RESEARCH ON CAMELID IMMUNOLOGY”-  (Hard Bound, 392 pages, few figs coloured, Edition 2016)

This book is a unique compilation of research papers based on “Camelid Immunology” and published in Journal of Camel Practice and Research  between 1994-2015. Research on this subject was done in 30 countries involving about 248 scientists. In terms of numbers of published papers in JCPR on the immunology the following countries remain in order of merit (in parenthesis), i.e. Iran (1), India and UAE (2), China and Saudi Arabia (3), Sudan (4), Kenya and Belgium (5), USA (6), Germany (7) and so on. The book contains 11 sections and is spread in 384 pages. The diverse sections are named as overview of camel immune system; determinates of innate immunity, cells, organs and tissues of immune system; antibodies; immunomodulation; histocompatibility; seroprevalence, diagnosis and immunity against bacteria, viruses, parasites and combination of other infections; application of camel immunoglobulins and applications of immune mechanism in physiological processes.

In 1989 a group of biologists led by Raymond Hamers at the Free University Brussels investigated the immune system of dromedaries. In addition to the expected four-chain antibodies, they identified simpler antibodies consisting only of two heavy chains. This discovery was published in Nature in 1993. Based on their structure, these peculiar camelid antibodies have been named Heavy Chain Antibodies (HCAb), as they are composed of heavy chains only and are devoid of light chains. HCAbs are not found in other mammals except in pathological cases.  Sera of camelids contain both conventional heterotetrameric antibodies and unique functional heavy (H)-chain antibodies (HCAbs). The smaller size and monomeric single domain nature make these antibodies easier to transform into bacterial cells for bulk production, making them ideal for research purposes. Single-domain antibodies are being researched for multiple pharmaceutical applications and have potential for use in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome, cancer and myeloid (e.g. Alzheimer’s) disease. Camelid scientists world over were greatly fascinated by a new field of research called “Camelid Immunology”. Camel has low susceptibility to pathogens has led to a belief that camel’s immune system is either more potent in combating the infections or is unique and different from other mammalian species. Significant research has been done on camelid immunology in recent decade. The term “nanoantibody” or “nanobody” was given to the recombinant single-domain antigen-binding variable fragments of special type of antibodies (i.e. HCAbs) that naturally exist (in addition to classical types of antibodies) in blood of Camelidae family animals. These nanobodies have a big potential for employment in immunobiotechnology and medicine. In order to benefit future camelid immunology researchers, this book was planned in the series of “Selected Topics” by Camel Publishing House with a title- “Selected Research on Camelid Immunology” edited by T.K. Gahlot, U. Wernery and Serge Muyldermans. This book is a unique compilation of research papers based on “Camelid Immunology” and published in Journal of Camel Practice and Research between 1994-2015. Research on this subject was done in 93 laboratories or institutions of 30 countries involving about 248 scientists. In terms of number of published papers in JCPR on the immunology the following countries remain in order of merit (in parenthesis), i.e. Iran (1), India and UAE (2), China and Saudi Arabia (3), Sudan (4), Kenya and Belgium (5), USA (6), Germany (7) and so on. The book contains 11 sections and is spread in 384 pages. The diverse sections are named as overview of camel immune system; determinates of innate immunity, cells, organs and tissues of immune system; antibodies; immunomodulation; histocompatibility; seroprevalence, diagnosis and immunity against bacteria, viruses, parasites and combination of other infections; application of camel immunoglobulins and applications of immune mechanisms in physiological processes. The camelid immunology has to go a long way in its future research, therefore, this reference book may prove quite useful for those interested in this subject. Book can be seen on www.camelsandcamelids.com