Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
J Autoimmun. 2013 Sep;45:1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2013.07.006. Epub 2013 Jul 30.
Immunology is a relatively new specialty. Ironically, the immune system impacts every physiological system in the body, but yet most textbooks of physiology do not include any functional aspects of the immune system. Indeed, with the exception of early descriptions of anaphylaxis and allergy, the majority of immune studies were focused on either the anatomy of lymph nodes and spleen, or of course on protection from microorganisms. The concept of autoimmunity is even newer and the first textbook on autoimmune disease was not published until 1963. For the past 50 years however, autoimmunity has virtually exploded from a field populated by a few, to recognition that autoimmune diseases can affect more than 10% of the population. There are many people that have contributed to this information explosion and the Journal of Autoimmunity devotes specific issues in recognition of the select few scientists that have contributed in a way that impacts not only their research peers, but also, and more importantly, the patients who suffer from autoimmune disease. Abul Abbas is one such individual. Abul is known not only for his outstanding research, but for his role in teaching and public service. His own scientific work is extraordinary and his impact is felt throughout the world. In this special issue a number of Abul's colleagues have specifically written papers to honor this unique individual. It is an extraordinary honor to be chosen for a special issue of a journal in recognition of one's career.
免疫学是一个相对较新的专业。具有讽刺意味的是，免疫系统影响着体内的每一个生理系统，但大多数生理学教材都没有包括免疫系统的任何功能方面。事实上，除了对过敏反应和过敏的早期描述外，大多数免疫研究都集中在淋巴结和脾脏的解剖结构上，或者当然是集中在防止微生物感染上。自身免疫的概念更新，第一本关于自身免疫性疾病的教科书直到 1963 年才出版。然而，在过去的 50 年里，自身免疫几乎从一个只有少数人参与的领域爆发式发展，人们认识到自身免疫性疾病可能影响超过 10%的人口。许多人对这一信息爆炸做出了贡献，《自身免疫杂志》专门出版了一期特刊，以表彰少数几位以某种方式做出贡献的科学家，这些贡献不仅影响了他们的研究同行，而且更重要的是，影响了那些患有自身免疫性疾病的患者。阿布尔·阿巴斯就是这样一个人。阿布尔不仅因其杰出的研究而闻名，还因其在教学和公共服务方面的作用而闻名。他自己的科学工作非常出色，他的影响遍及全球。在这个特刊中，阿布尔的几位同事专门撰写了论文，以纪念这位杰出的个体。能够被选为一本杂志的特刊以表彰其职业生涯，是一项非凡的荣誉。
