Arachidonic acid (AA) and other 20 or 22-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are precursors of lipid mediators of inflammation known as eicosanoids. These mediators are critical in disease processes and in regulating normal cell function. Remodeling is important in maintaining homeostasis and in regulating cell function by dictating how PUFAs are converted to lipid mediators of inflammation. Thus, PUFA remodeling is a critical process in the biosynthesis of a multitude of mediators, and understanding this process will unravel better therapeutic targets for controlling inflammatory...

This topical insight in the role of cytokines in joint inflammation and joint destruction is important for a better understanding of key processes in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Apart from the impact of well-known and novel cytokines on joint tissues, the various chapters address the issue of targeted therapy with biological response modifiers and future interventions with carefully designed inhibitors. Special attention is given to elements of synovial cell activation, cell-cell interaction, cytokine interplay as well as mechanisms of cartilage...

Sodium channels confer excitability on neurons in nociceptive pathways and exhibit neuronal tissue specific and injury regulated expression. This volume provides recent insights into the control of expression, functioning and membrane trafficking of nervous system sodium channels and reviews why sodium channel sub-types are potentially important drug targets in the treatment of pain. The roles of sodium channels in dental and visceral pain are also addressed. The emerging role of sodium channel Nav1.3 in neuropathic states is another important theme.

Authors from the pharmaceutical...

Vanilloids mediate their effects by selective agonism of an ion channel, the vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1). TRPV1 is a ligand-gated, non-selective, cation channel preferentially expressed in small-diameter, primary afferent neurons, including nociceptive sensory nerves. In addition to be activated by capsaicin and related vanilloids, TRPV1 responds to heat and extracellular acidification, and will integrate simultaneous exposures to these stimuli. The aim of this book is to summarize recent insights in the role of TRPV1 in pain and inflammation, and to discuss how modulation of this...

Scientific interest in regulatory T cells has revived during the last decade. Initially described in the early seventies as suppressor T cells, the concept of suppressor/regulatory T cells went through turbulent times during the eighties when molecular analysis failed to identify putative suppressor genes. The constructive and elegant cellular experiments on regulatory T cells during the nineties, initiated by Shimon Sakaguchi and co-workers, however have brought these cells back into the limelight. Nowadays, regulatory T cells are regarded as essential components of the immune system, and...

The understanding how complement relates to glomerular diseases has evolved considerably during the last years. Substantial evidence has accumulated that explain how a defective or deregulated complement system results in kidney diseases. The combination and close interaction of basic research with clinical medicine has demonstrated an important role of complement effector and regulatory proteins in pathological settings of the kidney.
A large panel of distinct human kidney diseases such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), membrano proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), systemic...

Chemokines play an important role in recruiting inflammatory cells into tissues in response to infection and inflammation. They also play an important role in coordinating the movement of T-cells, B-cells and dentritic cells, necessary to generate an immune response (response to injury, allergens, antigens, invading microorganisms). They selectively attract leukocytes to inflammatory foci, inducing both cell migration and activation. They are involved in various diseases, like atherosclerosis, lung and skin inflammation, multiple sclerosis, or HIV.
Volume 2 of this two-volume set...

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) represents a complex disease where the inheritable component has been estimated to be up to 60%. This PIR volume deals with the genetic basis and regulation of rheumatic diseases. The first part of the book describes genetic studies on rheumatic diseases. The second part deals with the shared heredity of rheumatic diseases, e.g., RA, lupus and ankylosing spondylitis. The third part of the volume describes tools for analysing genetic complexity, ranging from animal models to new molecular tools. The volume is essential reading for researchers and clinicians from...

A repertoire of 10 TLRs mediate the first response to all microbes that infect mammals. They are the long sought receptors for a wide range of microbial products. Notable examples include TLR4 which recognizes LPS from gram negative bacteria, TLR3 which recognizes viral double-stranded RNA and TLR9 which recognizes CpG DNA motifs, found commonly in both viruses and bacteria. TLRs are increasingly being implicated in both infectious and inflammatory diseases, notable examples being sepsis, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis and asthma. There is therefore great interest in targeting...