"Keratinocytes, as the main cellular component of the organism/environment interface, perform a vast range of functions in protection, secretion, sensation and self-repair by virtue of their great plasticity in form and development. Indeed recent medical advances in laboratory culture of these cells for use as skin grafts in cases of severe burns or ulceration owe much of their success to this very plasticity. Drawing upon a wide range of international expertise the various interconnected aspects of cell structure, composition and function are laid out in this volume, providing a comprehensive dossier of the keratinocyte and its biological significance."--Pub. desc.
This volume provides a lucid state-of-the-art tour of the critical signaling roles calcium plays in both the normal and carcinogenic cell cycles of proliferation, differentiation, and death. Whitfield and Chakravarthy (Institute for Biological Sciences, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa) commence their discussion with the intriguing comment that no revolution has had as much an impact on Earth as the Great Calcium-Driven Eukaryotic Revolution occurring soon after the planet's birth. The final chapter explains how calcium also drives responsiveness in plants. Includes exceptionally well-referenced chapters, crisp color graphics, and a bilingual French-English abstract. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR.
There have been significant advances in research involving the isolation and culture of epithelial cells in the past decade, and many new techniques have been developed. Monolayer cultures can be used to evaluate the nature and behavior of cells, while the use of epithelial cells in model systems has allowed a deeper understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms and interactions. The aim of this book is to provide a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to many techniques for epithelial cell culture, combining in one volume the more commonly used protocols along with many that are more speci- ized. Epithelial Cell Culture Protocols should help those who are new to this field and want to learn the basic culture techniques, as well as those needing to use more wide ranging and specific protocols. It should be a useful resource on its own, and also complement the other volumes that have been written about cell culture in the Methods in Molecular Biology series. Epithelial Cell Culture Protocols covers a wide variety of protocols, mostly aimed at the researcher, but also a few aimed at clinicians. The est- lishment and maintenance of primary cultures derived from many different tissues and different species is covered. Particular emphasis has been placed on protocols needed to further analyze and assess epithelial cells, for example, by looking at apoptosis and integrins and by measuring membrane capa- tance and confluence. Using different co-culture techniques, it is possible also to develop models to investigate many different systems in vitro.
Both disciplines, tissue engineering and plastic and reconstructive surgery, share a common objective: to provide living tissue for the repair of congenital or acquired defects. Each new achievement in these fields is a consequence of centuries of previous investigation, observation, and insight. Viewed from a historical perspective, it is of great interest to see the development of the distinct field of tissue engineering on the basis of the tradition of plastic surgery, the beginning of an inextricable relationship. Today, the advances of tissue engineering continue to open up new possibilities in the field of plastic surgery.
"...a wonderful compendium of current in vitro approaches that will be a useful resource to those just starting to work with an epithelial cell system as well as those that have been working with them for years and years." --Pharmaceutical Research This completely revised and expanded new edition provides detailed descriptions of fundamental and practical aspects relating to the in vitro cultivation of disparate types of epithelia. In recent years, the use of epithelial cell culture in cell biology and tissue engineering has increased dramatically. This revision reflects those advances by including new chapters on the culture of animal and human hepatocytes, kidney epithelium, and bladder epithelium. Each chapter provides an introductory review of the principles and advantages of the particular method, followed by detailed protocols, practical tips, alternate methods, and a useful list of materials and suppliers.
New biological techniques and a revival of interest in both acute and chronic wound healing have led to an enormously improved understanding of the cellular and chemical complexities of the healing process. Exciting developments in the evolution of epidermal biology are creating new opportunities for research and clinical applications in wound heal
The past few years have seen considerable advances in our understanding of the molecular basis underlying cutaneous cell adhesion mechanisms. Co-authored by a number of leading experts in the field ^Cell Adhesion and Migration in Skin Disease provides a comprehensive overview of the critical role played by cell adhesion in determining the structure and function of both healthy and diseased human skin. The book is divided into three main sections, with each one addressing a principal function of adhesion molecules. The first part focuses on the epidermis, which as the skin's outermost layer, acts as the human body's primary barrier of defence. Roles played by cytoskeletal intermediate filaments and junctional complexes in cutaneous cell adhesion are emphasised with descriptions of blistering skin diseases that can arise if these molecules malfunction. The second part describes the macromolecular interactions responsible for the anchorage of cells to the underlying extracellular basement membrane. The experimental approaches detailed in the text not only reveal how the molecular components of the dermal-epidermal junction have been elucidated, but also highlight how mutations in the genes which encode these molecules are responsible for many heritable skin diseases. Leukocytes continually infiltrate the skin and patrol it for potentially harmful pathogens. Control of leukocyte adhesion to resident cells within the skin and to the extracellular matrix plays a key role in controlling these processes. These mechanisms constitute the primary focus of the final section. The pivotal role of leukocytes is examined in conjunction with the chronic inflammatory diseases which arise when components of the skin's finely tuned defence strategy go awry and the potential for these anomalies to be pinpointed as important immunotherapeutic targets for skin diseases.
Comprises 20 contributions on intermediate filament (IF) proteins, providing a comprehensive overview of the essentials of IF research and very recent developments, including many previously unpublished concepts and results. Representative topics include intermediate filament organization during oogenesis and early development in the clawed frog, lessons from keratin transgenic and knockout mice, cytokeratins as markers of differentiation in the diagnosis of epithelial tumors, vimentin and lipid metabolism, and nuclear lamin- binding proteins. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Practical guidance based on expert experience and evidence for developing management strategies for vitiligo This complete guide to vitiligo provides a full appraisal of strategy for the treatment of this autoimmune disease that affects 1-2% of the world’s population. It addresses all aspects of vitiligo, covering the science, medical and surgical therapies, and the psychological evaluations and approaches based on the proper understanding of the causes and classification of a particular case. Management of vitiligo is challenging and requires a multipronged approach. Vitiligo: Medical and Surgical Management is a comprehensive, timely, state-of-the-art resource that will help those involved with affected patients better understand and treat this disease, which takes its toll on the mental wellness of those afflicted by it. It takes an evidenced-based approach to the disease’s treatment; provides an overview of the surgical management; covers tissue and cellular grafting; and more. Thoroughly guides those involved in the clinical aspects of vitiligo Aids diagnosis and classification of severity Balances evidence and experience Compiled by world-leading expert editors Comprehensive in nature, Vitiligo: Medical and Surgical Management contains a strong practical element, and is a welcome go-to source for practicing dermatologists and those training to become a dermatologist.
