Allergic skin diseases belong to the most common dermatoses. This book deals with fundamental (in particular immunological aspects) as well as clinical symptoms and therapeutic strategies of the allergic skin diseases. Cells involved in the pathomechanisms of allergic skin disease are described in individual chapters. The allergic skin diseases which will be discussed are atopic dermatitis, being the chronic inflammatory skin disease with the highest prevalence, allergic contact dermatitis with special focus on contact dermatitis from cosmetics, being the most frequent cause of contact...
Allergic skin diseases belong to the most common dermatoses. This book deals with fundamental (in particular immunological aspects) as well as clinica...
As in so many fields of scientific endeavour following the molecular biology revo- lution, our knowledge of the role of radicals not only in pathological states, but in basic physiology has developed exponentially. Indeed, our evolving concepts have, like so many political parties, been forced into dramatic "V-turns" and contortions. Within our working lives, we have had to debate whether radicals made any con- tribution to any pathology, whilst now it is difficult not to entertain the view that every physiological process is pivotally controlled by exquisitely sensitive radical reactions....
As in so many fields of scientific endeavour following the molecular biology revo- lution, our knowledge of the role of radicals not only in pathologi...
Within the past few years, it has become recognized that the immune system communicates to the brain. Substances released from activated immune cells (cytokines) stimulate peripheral nerves, thereby signaling the brain and spinal cord that infection/inflammation has occurred. Additionally, peripheral infection/inflammation leads to de novo synthesis and release of cytokines within the brain and spinal cord. Thus, cytokines effect neural activation both peripherally and centrally. Through this communication pathway, cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor...
Within the past few years, it has become recognized that the immune system communicates to the brain. Substances released from activated immune cells ...
For some years, international guidelines on the management of asthma have stressed the importance of early intervention with anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent acute asthma exacerbations and to avert chronic inflammatory damage to the airway. Introduced by a broad survey of the targets for anti-inflammatory drugs, this book proceeds to bring together the most recent research into the mechanisms and clinical benefits of presently available anti-inflammatory treatments including corticosteroids, cromones, and theophylline. For the first time, these drugs are discussed alongside the newly...
For some years, international guidelines on the management of asthma have stressed the importance of early intervention with anti-inflammatory drugs t...
Fatty acids play an important role in the barrier function of skin and represent a major source of proinflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes and other lipids in inflammatory skin disorders. This book combines the two major functions of fatty acids in skin biology. In the first part the biosynthesis of fatty acids in skin with its role in barrier function as well as the role of dietary fatty acids on skin cell function and in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases is presented. The second part deals with skin as a source of proinflammatory eicosanoids, especially with...
Fatty acids play an important role in the barrier function of skin and represent a major source of proinflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins, l...
The accumulation of white blood cells is a hallmark of inflammation. The penetra tion through the vessel walls and the infiltration around the inflammatory stimulus is a complex process which involves active adherence and directed migration of the inflammatory cells. Chemotactic factors stimulate both adherence and migration. Technical tools such as the Boyden chamber 1] made it possible to study leukocyte migration in vitro. This technique allows differentiation between migration direct ed towards a chemotactic stimulus and non-directed migration. Until a decade ago only two naturally...
The accumulation of white blood cells is a hallmark of inflammation. The penetra tion through the vessel walls and the infiltration around the inflamm...
Combinatorial chemistry in conjunction with High Throughput Screening (HTS) is revolutionizing the drug discovery process. Yet, we have much to learn about the integration of these powerful techniques with information from genomics, proteomics, computation and pharmacokinetics before dramatic increases in the drug discovery/development processes can be achieved. The chapters in this book represent the state of the art regarding the integration of combinatorial chemistry and HTS in connection with anti-inflammatory targets. Obviously, there is much work to be done beyond what is described in...
Combinatorial chemistry in conjunction with High Throughput Screening (HTS) is revolutionizing the drug discovery process. Yet, we have much to learn ...
Gene therapy for inflammatory diseases is a new, burgeoning field of medicine. Edited by the undisputed pioneers of this area of research, this volume is the first devoted to its topic. It contains thirteen chapters, each written by leaders in their respective fields, that summarize the state of the art in developing novel, gene based treatments for inflammatory diseases. As well as providing an introduction to the basic concepts of gene therapy and the use of naked DNA approaches, the book describes the advances that have been made in applying them to arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis,...
Gene therapy for inflammatory diseases is a new, burgeoning field of medicine. Edited by the undisputed pioneers of this area of research, this volume...
TLR4 is one of the most important innate immunity receptors, its function mainly consisting in the activation of inflammatory pathways in response to stimulation by Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) and Damage Associated Molecular Pattern molecules (DAMPs).
This volume critically reviews the different types of TLR4 activators and inhibitors, discusses the role of molecular aggregates in agonism/antagonism as well as the pivotal role of the CD14 receptor in the modulation of TLR4 signal and the molecular details and actors of the intracellular...
TLR4 is one of the most important innate immunity receptors, its function mainly consisting in the activation of inflammatory pathw...
This edited collection of 12 chapters by research workers from a wide range of disciplines resolves the confusion that currently surrounds the “hygiene hypothesis” by considering the human need for exposure to microorganisms from an evolutionary point of view. The book explains why we evolved a requirement for exposure to microbiota from our mothers, from other people, and from the natural environment. It also explains the physiological roles of these exposures, what goes wrong when the exposures are distorted and how human lifestyles and activities, including degradation of the...
This edited collection of 12 chapters by research workers from a wide range of disciplines resolves the confusion that currently surrounds the “h...