This book examines Au (I, III) complexes that selectively attack and inhibit zinc finger proteins (ZnFs) for potential therapeutic use. The author explores gold(I)-phosphine, gold(III) complexes with N^N and C^N donors as inhibitors of the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein (NCp7), in comparison to the human transcription factor Sp1. To determine the coordination sphere of the gold adducts formed by interaction with ZnFs, two innovative approaches are used, based on Travelling-Wave Ion Mobility coupled with Mass Spectrometry (TWIM-MS), and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy. Both approaches are proven to yield valuable structural information regarding the coordination sphere of gold in the adducts. In addition, the organometallic compound [Au (bnpy)Cl2] is evaluated. The system is shown to be capable of inhibiting ZnFs by means of C-S coupling.

Guest edited by Eugene Choo, this issue of Immunology and Allergy Clinics covers the latest research in diagnosing and managing asthma-like diseases. Topics covered include vocal cord dysfunction, dynamic airway collapse, RADS, GERD, sarcoidosis, and more.

This book presents the latest breakthrough results in glycobiology regarding the roles of glycans in relation to quality control and transport of protein, the immune system, viral infection, stem cells, the neural system, and various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, muscular dystrophy, and schizophrenia. Although glycoscience has long been regarded as a very specialized field with no simple analytical method, the recent explosive progress in research continues to provide limitless evidence that glycan chains are the key component in various biological phenomena. Cell surface glycans, for example, change with developmental stages or environmental conditions and thus represent a "face" of the cell that is utilized for identification of iPS and ES cells and as biomarkers in diagnosis or detection of cancer. This book comprises 17 chapters, each of which poses outstanding "glyco-related" questions enabling non-specialists to have a clearer idea about what the future direction for further investigation of glycans in their own research fields will be. Also including basic information to understand the nature of glycans, this title serves as an excellent "textbook" for researchers in diverse research fields who are not familiar with, but nevertheless interested in, glycan chains or sugar chains.

This volume provides readers with methods and protocols for understanding the development of recombinant viruses and their use as vaccines platforms. Recombinant Virus Vaccines: Methods and Protocols details the use of recombinant vaccines that are employed to either produce immunogens in vitro or elicit antibody production in vivo. The chapters in this book are divided into four parts: Part I explores double-stranded DNA viruses; Part II discusses negative sense single-stranded RNA viruses; Part III talks about positive sense single-stranded RNA viruses; and Part IV describes bacteriophages. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Thorough and cutting-edge, Recombinant Virus Vaccines: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for scientists and clinicians who are interested in learning about and adopting methods for use in basic and biomedical research directed toward generating and developing recombinant viral vaccines.

This volume presents a collection of reviews derived from work presented at the Aegean Conference: "5th Crossroads Between Innate and Adaptive Immunity". This meeting was the fifth in a series, and assembled a team of scientists working on mechanisms by which the innate immune system of the host senses pathogens, the cellular and signaling networks that orchestrate the innate response and antigen presentation and adaptive immunity. The importance of the crosstalk between innate immunity and the adaptive immune response has only recently started to be appreciated. Although it is well recognized that dendritic cells, NK cells, NK-T cells and T cells are all critical for the host response to pathogens, the respective fields that study the biology of these immune cells tend to exist in parallel worlds with minimum exchange of information and ideas. This fragmentation hinders the integration of these fields towards a unified theory of host response. The Aegean Conference "Crossroads between Innate and Adaptive Immunity" brought together leading international scientists and experts to address critical areas of Innate and Adaptive Immunity, a necessary step in the development of more efficient scientific exchange and crosspollination between these fields. This conference attracted scientists from all over the world to discuss their latest findings on the various aspects of Innate and Adaptive Immunity, and maximized scientific interchange through lecture presentations, poster sessions and informal discussions.

Literally thousands of papers have been published on nitric oxide over the past ten years. But there is no single monograph available that has previously attempted to summarize the important features of the roles of nitric oxide in inflammation. The voluminous literature regarding the incredible range of chemical and biological effects of nitric oxide and reactive nitrogen oxide species, RNOS, may present a tangle of confusing information to the researcher. This volume brings together experts from nitric oxide and inflammation research and presents a concise up-to-date overview as well as future aspects of this rapidly growing field.

Many questions remain unresolved as researchers continue to characterize and define the nature of normal immune homeostasis and determine how these processes are dysregulated in immunodeficiency, as well as in autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders. Immune Homeostasis: Methods and Protocols focuses on experimental techniques for measuring and analyzing immune cell dynamics, with a particular emphasis on examining lymphocyte programmed cell death in different contexts. With contributions by leading experts in the field, the collection examines detailed protocols for studying various pathways of apoptosis and necrosis in different types of hematopoietic cells, both in vitro and in vivo, methods for studying the maintenance of lymphocyte populations in the steady-state or following infectious challenges in both mice and humans, and technical insights into state-of-the-art genomics tools, among other topics. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Valuable and easy to use, Immune Homeostasis: Methods and Protocols serves as an important toolkit for basic and clinical scientists interested in examining various aspects of immune homeostasis in both normal and disease-related contexts in order to further study the dynamic processes that contribute to homeostasis of the immune system.

"Advances in Immunology, " a long-established and highly respected publication, presents current developments as well as comprehensive reviews in immunology. Articles address the wide range of topics that comprise immunology, including molecular and cellular activation mechanisms, phylogeny and molecular evolution, and clinical modalities. Edited and authored by the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for the future.

Key features:

* Contributions from leading authorities * Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field

Notch signaling regulates many cell fate decision and differentiation processes during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Moreover, disregulation of the pathway is associated with human disorders and cancer. In the last 15 years it became evident that Notch plays important roles in the hematopoietic system as well as in the regulation of immune responses. This special issue on Notch regulation of the immune system summarizes recent advances and covers multiple aspects of Notch signaling within the hematopoietic and the immune system. This issue covers subjects including Notch function in embryonic and adult hematopoietic stem cells, lymphocyte development and function as well as in T cell leukemia."

This issue of Immunology and Allergy Clinics provides a comprehensive review of the current state of biomarkers and their role in the asthma diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm.Since the last issue on Biomarkers, which published in 2007, significant research directly targeted at biomarker development and clinical trials with new biologics, using biomarkers such as exhaled nitric oxide, sputum and tissue eosinophilia as endpoints, has occurred.

"Advances in Immunology, " a long-established and highly respected publication, presents current developments as well as comprehensive reviews in immunology. Articles address the wide range of topics that comprise immunology, including molecular and cellular activation mechanisms, phylogeny and molecular evolution, and clinical modalities. Edited and authored by the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for the future.

Key features:

* Contributions from leading authorities * Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field

This volume focuses on the role of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and its analogs in the induced sequestration of lymphocytes in secondary lymphoid organs or in the microenvironment of tissues involved in infection or autoimmune disease. Initial chapters define the pathways to understand S1P signaling. They cover the organization of signaling systems, the structural biology of the S1P1 receptor, and the chemical and genetic tools that are available and useful to explore this area of research and therapeutics. The later chapters highlight S1P and endothelial integrity, lymphocyte migration in the spleen, and S1P agonist in controlling immunopathologic manifestations of acute respiratory influenza virus infection (in the lung), and its accompanying cytokine storm as well as immunopathologic disease of the central nervous system, including the beginning of treatments in multiple sclerosis. One chapter reveals the possible involvement of other lipid molecules, their use for better understanding lipid signaling, and their potential in the modulation of immune responses.

"Advances in Immunology, " a long-established and highly respected publication, presents current developments as well as comprehensive reviews in immunology. Articles address the wide range of topics that comprise immunology, including molecular and cellular activation mechanisms, phylogeny and molecular evolution, and clinical modalities. Edited and authored by the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for the future.
* Contributions from leading authorities and industry experts
* Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field

The introduction of monoclonal antibodies revolutionized immunology. The development of human monoclonal antibodies was inspired primarily by the enormous clinical benefits promised by these reagents which can be used as anti-inflammatory reagents, anti-tumor reagents and reagents for passive immunization in a variety of pathologies. Human Monoclonal Antibodies: Methods and Protocols presents technical protocols of cellular and molecular methods for the production, purification and application of human monoclonal antibodies, as well as review articles on related topics of human monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Human Monoclonal Antibodies: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve both professionals and novices with its well-honed methodologies which will prove invaluable in a clinical setting.

The present book intends to provide an update on immunosenescence and how deficiencies in the immune system contribute to a higher susceptibility to infections, decline in organ function, reduced vaccination responses, age-related disease and the ageing process itself, negatively affecting longevity. Our focus is on the main changes in immune system cells and their products occurring during the ageing process and the possible consequences for health and disease. This includes: discussion of the modulatory and/or suppressive mechanisms associated with the alterations in T regulatory cells, B regulatory cells and Myeloid Derived Suppressor cells; changes in the immune system observed in chronic neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, lung disease and frailty will also be discussed. Most importantly we provide recent literature information about possible interventions (focusing on physical activity) that could alleviate the negative effects of immunosenescence. The Ageing Immune System and Health is a comprehensive guide on the field intended to all physicians, researchers, professors and students interested on relationship between immune system, ageing and health.

Osteoimmunology pertains to the study of the relationship between the bones, particularly the bone marrow, and the immune system. This monograph pursues the best available evidence, by means of research synthesis, for the characterization of the physiological relevance and pathological implications of the inter-connectedness between the skeletal and the immune system. Research will be discussed that highlights the associated role of the circulatory, nervous and endocrine systems, as well as proteomic and genomic pathways and signatures. Emphasis is given that domain of medicine that relates to the oral cavity, its diseases and their systemic sequelae. This monograph arises from observations that have suggested that the skeletal system and the immune system are intimately intertwined. Chronic inflammatory reactions subsequent to an excessive immune reaction can damage the bones, as in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoporosis, patients seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 and with signs and symptoms of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and bone cancer. Bones - in particular the bone marrow - are one of the primary locations in which cells of the immune system mature. In brief, this monograph begins to answer a range of questions, such as, what is osteoimmunology all about?, does the immune system and its components affect bone development?, how do stress hormones impact upon the pathophysiology of bone-immune interactions?, can the scientific process of research synthesis, obtain the best available evidence for treatment of diseases involving the bone-immune entity (i.e., osteo immunopathologies) means of evidence-based clinical decision-making directed at the treatment of osteoimmune pathologies?

This volume is a collection of chapters from the leading experts in the relatively new and burgeoning field of persister cell studies. Persisters play a leading role in the recalcitrance of chronic infections, and enable the development of classical antibiotic resistance. The focus of the book is on studies that provide an understanding of the mechanisms of persister formation, antibiotic tolerance and role in disease, at the molecular level.

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine studying abnormalities and diseases of the musculoskeletal system: Joints, muscles, and connective tissues. Immunology is a branch of medicine studying abnormalities and diseases of our immune system. Immune diseases are either due to deficiency of the immune system leading to "immunodeficiency" or due to failure of recognizing the "self" from "non-se'f" and attacking the own system, leading to "autoimmune disease," or due to hypersensitivity diseases such as allergic rhinitis. Rheumatic and Immunologic diseases are closely related because the underlying etiology of certain rheumatic diseases is abnormality of the immune system. Understanding the immune system is the key factor in recognizing the abnormalities in rheumatic diseases. Therefore, clinical immunologists and rheumatologist may occasionally see and treat similar conditions. In fact some specialists are dually trained in Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology. What makes these two branches of medicine different is their uniqueness. Rheumatologists for example evaluate and treat arthritis (diseases of the joints) such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia, to name a few. Allergists and clinical Immunologists treat hypersensitivities such as allergic rhinitis, bee sting allergy, and allergic asthma, and immunological diseases such as immunodeficiencies among others. Both specialists, however deal with autoimmune diseases. Why a Book in Immunology and Rheumatology? Our musculoskeletal structure holds and protects our internal organs. Any insult to such structure, excluding acute bone fractures, results in various conditions known as rheumatic diseases. Whether the involved area is a joint, a cartilage, or a muscle, the understanding of the immune system helps to elucidate the mechanisms of such diseases. As the population ages in the 21st century, the role of rheumatology and Immunology becomes more apparent and appreciated. Approaching a patient with multiple rheumatic diseases is not an easy task. In fact our immense system is perhaps the most complicated system of the human body; this is due to presence and interactions of myriad of cells and chemical mediators that participate in complex pathways such as the inflammatory response and others to defend the body and respond to pathogens. In addition, our immune system protects us against further exposure to harmful substances. Although there are several books on the subjects of immunology and rheumatology, this case-based study of these two subjects is a unique way of reviewing and discussing such complicated areas of medicine. The Book Format: This book will be divided into 6 parts and 16 chapters. The Estimated length: 300-350 manuscript pages. As with the previous titles I have edited (and which have received very favorable reviews), each chapter will consist of 2 or more cases with discussion, and 5 multiple choice questions per case. This title will be similar to Challenging Cases in Pulmonology (Springer 2011), and Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin (Springer, 2010), Challenging Cases in Allergy and Immunology (Humana Press, 2009).

This second edition volume provides detailed protocols that address the challenges of signal-transduction IHC. This book delves into chapters that discuss the nature of signal transduction phenomena and approaches to making phosphor-specific antibodies, as well as numerous bona fide methods methods on digital imaging techniques, preservation of tissue targets, multicolor detection, flow cytometry, lipophagy analysis, apoptosis, and the combination of IHC with in situ hybridization. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Thorough and comprehensive, Signal Transduction Immunohistochemistry: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition is a valuable resource to both novices and experts in other fields of biomedical research who need advice on IHC protocols to study signal transduction. This book will also be useful for researchers in academia, government labs, and the biotech industry.

In "Basophils and Mast Cells: Methods and Protocols," experts in this challenging field explore techniques to research these cells from the most practical point of view. Given the tremendous influence of mast cells and blood-borne basophils over immune system function, this volume intends to aid the reader in the development of better tools for the isolation of these cells from primary tissues, peripheral blood, bone marrow, or cord blood. Also covered are protocols for the in vitro and in vivo study of their functions. Written in the highly successful "Methods in Molecular Biology" format, chapters in this book contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls straight from the researchers who use the methods most.

Authoritative and easy to use, "Basophils and Mast Cells: Methods and Protocols" will provide the necessary tools for future research into mast cells and basophils with the goal of aiding in the quest to shed more light on these fascinating cell types.

One hundred years have elapsed since specific allergen immunotherapy (SIT) was first employed and found to be effective in the treatment of allergic respiratory diseases. This cutting-edge issue of Immunology and Allergy Clinics offers a comprehensive review of this disease modifying treatment, exploring its history, status, and potential future. Topics covered include the mechanisms of subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy; the mechanisms of sublingual immunotherapy; optimizing efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy; preparation of allergen immunotherapy extraxcts; risk factors and subcutaneous immunotherapy safety; accelerated schedules and reducing risk with premedication (antihistamines, omalizumab, leucotriene antagonist); safety and efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy for allergic respiratory disease and other indications; monitoring clinical outcomes of specific immunotherapy; monitoring immunotherapy response with immunological parameters; socioeconomics and comparative effectiveness of immunotherapy; oral desensitization for food hypersensitivity; peptide and recombinant immunotherapy; intralymphatic and epicutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy; peptide and recombinant immunotherapy; adjuvants and vector systems for allergy faccines; and future forms of immunotherapy.

Behcet's syndrome can reasonably be considered a unique entity among diseases of the immune system for several reasons: It has specific features and, uniquely among the immune system pathologies, represents a link between autoimmune diseases, systemic vasculitis, and autoinflammatory diseases. In addition, it is of interest to a variety of specialists, including immunologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, and ophthalmologists, and requires a complex multidisciplinary approach. Many aspects need to be considered in a syndrome that presents a wide spectrum of symptoms and for which the therapeutic armamentarium is expanding significantly, with the development of new treatments, not least the so-called biologics. This book offers comprehensive coverage of the disease by some of the world s leading experts in Behcet's syndrome from all the relevant specialties. Epidemiology, genetics, pathogenesis, organ system involvement, differential diagnosis, novel treatments, surgical management, and prognosis are just some of the topics addressed. Behcet's Syndrome: From Pathogenesis to Treatment will be an invaluable reference for a range of practitioners, researchers, and undergraduates or postgraduates interested in immuno-rheumatology, dermatology, and rare diseases. "

This volume gathers the latest exciting findings on ADP-ribosylation from renowned experts in the field. It includes ten chapters, organized into the following three thematic sections: * Evolution and detection of endogenous ADP-ribosylation * ADP-ribosylation by the ARTC family of ADP-ribosyltransferases (R-S-E ARTs) * ADP-ribosylation by the ARTD family of ADP-ribosyltransferases (H-Y-E ARTs) The book will provide readers a better understanding of ADP-ribosylating toxins and their endogenous relatives. This provides a basis for developing novel toxin-neutralizing drugs and drugs targeting endogenous ADP-ribosyltransferase relatives.