This book is a comprehensive review of the structure/function and biology of molecules belonging to the TGF-A superfamily. Because molecules in this family have very diverse biological roles the editors have chosen to focus on the parts they play in the specific areas of inflammation and wound/fracture healing. Whilst molecules in the TGF-A superfamily have been extensively studied, there are few, if any, publications which have taken a broad perspective on this family, most having chosen to focus on just one very small area. This book is therefore unusual in that it offers a comprehensive...

During the past decades important breakthroughs have been made in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). First, the implementation of low-dose methotrexate and other conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs was introduced as an effective treatment. Second, it was recognized that early immunomodu- tory treatment is crucial for controlling the disease and its long-term destructive effects more effectively. Parallel advances in research on the pathogenesis of RA and cytokine biology converged in identifying tumor necrosis factor (TNF) as a key factor in inflammation and matrix...

This is an outstanding survey describing medical drugs of plant origin, such as Echinacea edications, lentinan and mistletoe lectin, which have proven to be effective as immunostimulants. At a time when ever greater importance is being placed on preventive and alternative medicine, the study provides the reader with information on the physiological mechanisms of action and range of application of phytopreparations capable of inducing immunostimulatory effects when administered prophylactically or therapeutically. "Immunomodulatory Agents from Plants" addresses scientists in the pharmaceutical...

Vascular adhesion molecules are vital for the physiological processes of leukocyte trafficking and also critically involved in the enhanced leukocyte emigration that is a key feature of all inflammatory and imm une diseases. The book will provide an overview of the roles of vascul ar adhesion molecules in health and disease, with chapters on their ce ll biology, followed by chapters reviewing their importance in specifi c disease processes. The book is designed to provide up-to-date, linke d reviews of the subject suitable for postgraduate students entering t he field or research workers from...

This book combines the two major functions of fatty acids in skin biol ogy. Fatty acids play an important role in the barrier function of ski n and represent a major source of proinflammatory mediators such as pr ostaglandins, leukotrienes and other lipids in inflammatory skin disor ders (e.g. proinflammatory eicosanoids which play a role in psoriasis and a topic dermatitis). The pharmacological inhibition of eicosanoid biosynthesis is also reviewed.

The inducible isoforms of the enzymes cyclooxygenase (COX 2), nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) have generated great interest as possible therapeutic targets in inflammation. This book is the first publication to address the importance of all three enzymes and the consequences of their interactions to the inflammatory process. The book brings together overviews by leading researchers in the field of the current status of knowledge of COX, NOS and HO in inflammation. These overviews cover a series of new concepts in the mechanism of inflammation. Topics include inducible...

The book deals with the role of both oxygen- and nitrogen-centred free radicals in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The well-known involvement of the superoxide anion radical in the bactericidal action of inflammatory cells suggests that radicals and the inflammatory response are inextricably linked. The widespread involvement of radicals in human disease seems inevitable, because inflammation is such a conspicuous component of human disease. For the first time, the present text integrates contributions from leading research groups who have been investigating the role of...

This book reviews recent advances in the development of new anti-infla mmatory drugs. It addresses different therapeutic intervention possibi lities for new drugs, such as the cellular source of cytokines, specif ic receptors that induce cytokine synthesis, intracellular regulators of cytokine gene induction and expression, secretion and activation of cytokines, cytokine receptors and signaling pathways from these recep tors. Accordingly, experts were drawn from different backgrounds, incl uding academic research institutes, the pharmaceutical industry and cl inical pharmacology. In each...

Allergic skin diseases belong to the most common dermatoses. This book deals with fundamental (in particular, immunological aspects), as wel l as clinical symptoms and therapeutic strategies of the allergic skin diseases.

In October 1998, key leaders of new drug discovery for inflammatory di seases gathered at Hershey, Pennsylvania, for the 10th International C onference of the Inflammation Research Association. The conference pro vided a stimulating environment for the open exchange of important adv ances in basic inflammation research and new drug discovery and develo pment. This book encompasses highlights of several presentations made at the conference and contains some of the latest and important develo pments in the field of inflammation research.