The third book in the group devoted to the "natural" immune system, this volume provides the ideal detailed, up-to-date overview of neutrophil function. Distilling new information alongside observations of the past, the book focuses on some of the most critical developments in currentneutrophil research. Specific examples of diseases resulting from neutrophil dysfunction and deficiency are brought to life by clinical case studies. An essential source of current research into this exciting field, this volume will be invaluable for advanced students and researchers in immunology,cell biology, and medicine.
This book highlights the important role of neutrophils in health as well as in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Section 1 provides a general background information regarding the mechanisms and various triggers of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation and their role in various infectious and noninfectious diseases (such as postinjury inflammation). Section 2 provides recent evidence regarding the role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis as well as a therapeutic target for selected disease conditions such as periodontal diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and cystic fibrosis. Section 3 describes the anti-inflammatory properties of neutrophils with focus regarding their role in graft versus host disease. This book provides a wider picture with regard to the importance of this immune cell type in various diseases with focus on one of its recently discovered properties, NETs. Therapeutic targets aimed to modulate neutrophil functions might provide novel approaches in the treatment of various diseases of infectious and noninfectious origin.
This book provides a concise set of protocols for assessing basic neutrophil functions, investigating specialized areas in neutrophil research, and completing step-by-step diagnostic assays of common neutrophil disorders. Each of the protocols is written by leading researchers in the field and includes hints for success, as well as guidance for troubleshooting. Scientists and clinicians will find this collection an invaluable aid.
NETosis is a unique form of cell death that is characterized by the release of decondensed chromatin and granular contents to the extracellular space. The initial observation of NETosis placed the process within the context of the innate immune response to infections. Neutrophils, the most numerous leukocytes that arrive quickly at the site of an infection, were the first cell type shown to undergo extracellular trap formation. However, subsequent studies showed that other granulocytes are also capable of releasing nuclear chromatin following stimulation. The extracellular chromatin acts to immobilize microbes and prevent their dispersal in the host. Bacterial breakdown products and inflammatory stimuli induce NETosis and the release of NETs requires enzyme activities. Histones in NET chromatin become modified by peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) and cleaved at specific sites by proteases. NETs serve for attachment of bactericidal enzymes including myeloperoxidase, leukocyte proteases, and the cathelicidin LL-37. While the benefit of NETs in an infection appears clear, NETs also figure prominently at the center of various pathologic states. Therefore, it is important for NETs to be efficiently cleared; else digestive enzymes may gain access to tissues where inflammation takes place. Persistent NET exposure at sites of inflammation may lead to a further complication: NET antigens may provoke acquired immune responses and, over time, could initiate autoimmune reactions. Recent studies identified aberrant NET synthesis and/or clearance in inflammatory/autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), psoriasis, ANCA-positive vasculitis, gout and Felty’s syndrome. In the case of SLE, for example, it appears that LL-37 exposed in the NETs may be a significant trigger of type I Interferon responses in this disease. Recent evidence also implicates aberrant NET formation in the development of endothelial damage, atherosclerosis and thrombosis. NETosis is thus of interest to researchers who investigate innate immune responses, host-pathogen interactions, chronic inflammatory disorders, cell and vascular biology, biochemistry, and autoimmunity. As we approach the 10-year-anniversary of the initial discovery of NETosis, it is useful and timely to review the so far identified mechanisms and pathways of NET formation, their role in bacterial and fungal defense and their putative importance as inducers of autoimmune responses. We look forward to a rich and rigorous discussion of these and related issues that benefit from interdisciplinary approaches, collaborations and exciting discoveries.
This book provides readers with an up-to-date and comprehensive view on the resolution of inflammation and on new developments in this area, including pro-resolution mediators, apoptosis, macrophage clearance of apoptotic cells, possible novel drug developments.
The microcirculation is highly responsive to, and a vital participant in, the inflammatory response. All segments of the microvasculature (arterioles, capillaries, and venules) exhibit characteristic phenotypic changes during inflammation that appear to be directed toward enhancing the delivery of inflammatory cells to the injured/infected tissue, isolating the region from healthy tissue and the systemic circulation, and setting the stage for tissue repair and regeneration. The best characterized responses of the microcirculation to inflammation include impaired vasomotor function, reduced capillary perfusion, adhesion of leukocytes and platelets, activation of the coagulation cascade, and enhanced thrombosis, increased vascular permeability, and an increase in the rate of proliferation of blood and lymphatic vessels. A variety of cells that normally circulate in blood (leukocytes, platelets) or reside within the vessel wall (endothelial cells, pericytes) or in the perivascular space (mast cells, macrophages) are activated in response to inflammation. The activation products and chemical mediators released from these cells act through different well-characterized signaling pathways to induce the phenotypic changes in microvessel function that accompany inflammation. Drugs that target a specific microvascular response to inflammation, such as leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion or angiogenesis, have shown promise in both the preclinical and clinical studies of inflammatory disease. Future research efforts in this area will likely identify new avenues for therapeutic intervention in inflammation. Table of Contents: Introduction / Historical Perspectives / Anatomical Considerations / Impaired Vasomotor Responses / Capillary Perfusion / Angiogenesis / Leukocyte-Endothelial Cell Adhesion / Platelet-Vessel Wall Interactions / Coagulation and Thrombosis / Endothelial Barrier Dysfunction / Epilogue / References
This book offers a comprehensive study of C-reactive protein (CRP) belonging to the pentraxin family, including a brief history of CRP, its structure, synthesis and evolution. Focusing on the emerging role of CRP and its clinical application in the field of disease biology, it details the pathophysiological role of CRP in a host of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, rheumatoid arthritis and infectious diseases and others. It also discusses the role of innate immunity and acute phase response (APR) and their key mediators in the host body in response to tissue injury, infection, trauma or surgery, immunological disorders or neoplastic growth. CRP’s significance in inflammation is highlighted, and its importance as a clinical marker in cardiovascular disease, its functional significance in Leishmania and Plasmodium infections, its association with the development of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and its role in cancer are discussed in detail. The book also includes clinical data studies and presents the latest research advances to further readers’ understanding of CRP.
Offering a broad appeal to microbiologists, immunologists, and infectious disease specialists, this four volume encyclopedia covers all autoimmune, tropical, and infectious diseases. Emphasis will also be placed on genetics, physiology, metabolism, pathogenesis and applied microbiology. Under the leadership of some of the most world renowned names in the field, the encyclopedia will bring together an outstanding collection of contributions by top scientists in a variety of fields. Volumes 1-3: Diseases will be divided by the 11 main sections of the body, namely Integumentary, Skeletal, Respiratory, Digestive, Urinary, and Reproductive. For some of the autoimmune disease, more then one system will be involved but the delineation serves to broadly break down the diseases into systems. Volume 4 will cover the vaccines for said diseases and future prospects will be offered by leaders in industry and academia. Volume 4 will also be broken down into all the body systems, as in the other two volumes. For each vaccine, for each disease, and in each system the following will be included: • A list of the vaccines currently available along with a list of the companies that manufacture them • Molecular Immunology of the Vaccine • Type of Immunity involved in protection • Mode of Vaccination for each vaccine; repeated boosters and length of immunological memory • Commercial production of vaccines • Storage of vaccines • Standardization and Control of Vaccines • WHO programs and World-Wide Disease Eradication Programs based upon Vaccines.
Inflammation is the very natural process of our body; it does its work immediately and smoothly along with lots of helpers. Inflammation is linked to immune system as acute inflammatory or pro-inflammatory phase through macrophage activation. This book is for researchers and scholars in the field of life sciences and medical sciences. The book contains all inflammatory sources around the world. It emphasizes on anti-inflammatory sources along with its active inflammatory constituents and other medicinal uses with authentic references. Anti-inflammation is a kind of activity with is found in nearly all of the natural sources used for major biological activities. So, the book helps them to correlate their activity of interest with anti-inflammatory source. The present work deals with illustrative representation of inflammation, causes of inflammation, inflammatory mediators, anti-inflammatory sources other uses and inflammation and lifestyle. It mainly provides the researchers the updated information from the ancient to the most recent ongoing research on inflammation. This book imparts pace to their idea of thinking, assist to make clear predictions before proceeding to research. The introduction includes natural sources of inflammation and its benefits; the sources are from plant, animal and marine. The book tells how these sources are useful for us to cure several diseases and opens new path for further research. Inflammation part of the book is well presented along with its phases, types and other diseases interrelated with inflammation. Inflammatory mediators, the foremost player of inflammation are defined in a very pleasant and convenient manner. The chapter includes both cell- derived and plasma - derived mediators illustratively with their synthesis and action. Natural source of anti-inflammation is the heart chapter of this book which contains all anti-inflammation sources from plants, marine and animals. This chapter also contains short description of most of the sources, its availability and uses. The authors have also added inflammatory models for assessment of biological activities of natural sources both in vitro and in vivo. Inflammation free lifestyle is described very nicely in the book. The contents are very specific and relevant to its topic; all the data provided is unique and useful. The anti-inflammatory table includes sources, plant parts used, active constituents and other uses. This data provides ample information regarding anti-inflammatory research and innovation. The highlights of this book shall be: -Describes almost all anti-inflammatory sources around the globe at one place in a more convenient tabulated form -Illustrative representation makes the book more attractive and interactive
