Erika Jensen-Jarolim and Manuel L. Penichet 1. 1 Background Infectious diseases, being the major burden in the history of mankind worldwide th until the beginning of the 20 century, were important triggers in the understanding of immunological mechanisms. In contrast to infectious diseases, reports of all- gies and cancers were less common, but increased tremendously within the last century. Based on the US mortality data of the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2009, a recent report from the American Cancer Society indicated that the number of cancer deaths increased approximately from 100,000 to 550,000 per year between 1930 and 2006, paralleling the increase of the total population during this period. Leading causes of death from cancer are lung and bronchus cancer, in men prostate cancer, and in women breast c- cer [1, 2]. Normalization to population size shows that the cancer death rate for most malignancies has been generally stable, although the mortality rate of certain malignancies, such as lung and bronchus cancer, has increased over the last 50 years [1-3]. In allergy, the situation is less clear, because for the time period around the turn of th the 19 century, only imprecise information is available. However, within the last 30 years the incidences of allergies has doubled not only in industrial countries, but in developing countries as well [4].

This book covers the latest information related to understanding immune responses to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). Many ENMs used in both the consumer and biomedical fields have been reported to elicit adverse immune responses ranging from innate immune responses such as complement activation to changes in adaptive immunity that influence pathogen responses and promote disease states such as asthma. Interaction of Nanomaterials with the Immune System covers the most up to date information on our understanding of immune responses to ENMs across a wide range of topics including innate immunity, allergic immune responses, adaptive provides the reader with (1) up to date understanding of immune responses to ENMs; (2) current testing methods; and (3) appropriate models including alternative testing strategies for evaluating immunotoxicity of ENMs.

This book introduces many new technologies and clinical applications of hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases. Presented in two parts, Part 1 focuses on stem cell therapies for autoimmune disease treatment; Part 2 focuses on stem cell therapies and their application in the treatment of common inflammatory diseases, including chronic knee osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver cirrhosis, Crohn's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and more. This book is an essential source for all advanced students and researchers involved with these diseases, stem cells, or both. Stem Cell Transplantation for Autoimmune Diseases and Inflammation and the other books in the Stem Cells in Clinical Applications series are invaluable to scientists, researchers, advanced students and clinicians working in stem cells, regenerative medicine, or tissue engineering as well as cancer or genetics research.

This book systematically covers immunoassays for food, presenting detailed approaches such as antigen design, food matrix pre-treatment and detection format optimization for 9 classes of food hazards and nutrition constituents. Offering ideas on how to improve the efficiency of recognized xenobiotics and food contents, this practical book also describes the discovery and utilization of novel immune agents like aptamer and molecular imprinted polymers in food analysis. It is intended for a broad range of areas, including biologists and food chemists, and is sure to become a key reference resource for students and professionals alike.

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.

The Digestive System in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Second Edition, represents the state-of-the-art in the field of digestive disorders in the most common systemic autoimmune diseases. This volume consists of an introductory chapter on imaging techniques in digestive diseases, followed by eight chapters on digestive manifestations in specific systemic autoimmune diseases. The final five chapters deal with digestive diseases with an autoimmune pathogenesis and systemic manifestations. International in scope, the table of contents reads like a Who's who in clinical research on systemic autoimmune diseases. More than 20 contributors from the European Union, the United States, Mexico, and South Africa share their knowledge in this detailed volume. The book provides an overview of our current understanding of digestive disorders in the most common systemic autoimmune diseases.

This book sheds new light on "inducible" lymphoid organs (ILOs): antigen presentation sites that are generated de novo in peripheral tissues under various pathogenic conditions. Accomplished immunologists demonstrate that the physiological role of these ILOs is completely different from that of central lymphoid organs, i.e., the lymph nodes or spleen. In addition to the central organs, the ILOs are considered essential structures for the efficient elicitation of adaptive immune responses in lesions. The respective chapters highlight examples from multiple sites, e.g. the skin, lung, intestinal tract, genital tract, the synovial membrane of the joints and artificial lymph nodes. Accordingly, readers will learn that ILO structure and function can vary substantially, depending on the context. Presenting the results of the latest immunological research, the book offers a fascinating and insightful read for both scientists and clinicians in the areas of infectious and immune-associated diseases.

The role of epigenetic mechanisms in autoimmune disease is only now starting to become clear. Understanding these mechanisms, their effect on cellular function and the role of environmental factors is vital to determining how to manage these often debilitating and fatal diseases. Drawing on the research of leading experts, this book provides a valuable insight into this important new area of autoimmunity research and a clear, up-to-date view on the major advances in the field. Specific coverage includes: How highly developed epigenetic mechanisms are involved in several aspects of normal immune regulation, in addition to maintaining immune tolerance to self-determinants. Specific epigenetic aspects of human autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, autoimmune diabetes, thyroid autoimmunity, inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune hepatitis. How understanding epigenetic mechanisms can lead to therapeutic strategies based on manipulation of this previously unexploited facet of immune regulation. Discussion of the novel approaches that are being investigated to prevent or treat autoimmune diseases. This book is an essential resource for those actively involved in the field. It is also of interest to basic researchers interested in understanding the origin of autoimmunity and clinical specialists interested in gaining in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and their treatment.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of important immune molecules and their structure-function relationships. The immune system is highly complex, consisting of a network of molecules, cells, tissues and organs, and the immune reaction is involved in various physiological as well as pathological processes, including development, self-tolerance, infection, immunity, and cancer. Numerous molecules participate in immune recognition, inhibition and activation, and these important immune molecules can be roughly divided into cell surface receptors, intracellular receptors and intracellular signaling molecules. The study of how these immune molecules function at molecular level has laid the foundation for understanding the immune system. The book provides researchers and students with the latest research advances concerning the structural biology of key immune molecules/pathways, and offers immunologists essential insights into how these immune molecules function.

Allergy and Allergic Diseases has been organized to provide an up-to-date, clinically relevant compilation of one of the most exciting areas of investigation in medicine today-allergic disease, especially as it pertains to the skin, airways, and bowel. With the dramatic rise in the incidence of various allergic disorders worldwide, and the coming of age of the discipline of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, the interface between basic and clinical science in this arena demands highlighting in this comprehensive new syn thesis.1t is with the hope of filling this evident need that Allergy and Allergic Diseases: The New Mechanisms and Therapeutics has been put together. The book's content is divided into both basic and clinical sections, with emphasis on various components of the immune and inflammatory response as they relate to the development of allergic disease. Topics span the range from molecular biology to clinical symptomatology, with an effort to make this of interest to as broad a constituency as possible. This book will therefore be of substantial interest to specialists in Clinical Immunology and Allergy, scientists studying the cellular and molecular biology of in flammation and immunity, as well as internists, teachers, developers of medical school curricula, and members of industry focused on drug discovery and therapeutics. Indeed, a separate section has been added to deal with some specific issues in this latter field."

This open access book describes marked advances in imaging technology that have enabled the visualization of phenomena in ways formerly believed to be completelyimpossible. These technologies have made major contributions to the elucidation of the pathology of diseases as well as to their diagnosis and therapy. The volume presents various studies from molecular imaging to clinical imaging. It also focuses on innovative, creative, advanced research that gives full play to imaging technology inthe broad sense, while exploring cross-disciplinary areas in which individual research fields interact and pursuing the development of new techniques where they fuse together. The book is separated into three parts, the first of which addresses the topic of visualizing and controlling molecules for life. Th e second part is devoted to imaging of disease mechanisms, while the final part comprises studies on the application of imaging technologies to diagnosis and therapy. Th e book contains the proceedings of the 12th Uehara International Symposium 2017, "Make Life Visible" sponsored by the Uehara Memorial Foundation and held from June 12 to 14, 2017. It is written by leading scientists in the field and is an open access publication under a CC BY 4.0 license.

This book systematically reviews the most important findings on cancer immune checkpoints, sharing essential insights into this rapidly evolving yet largely unexplored research topic. The past decade has seen major advances in cancer immune checkpoint therapy, which has demonstrated impressive clinical benefits. The family of checkpoints for mediating cancer immune evasion now includes CTLA-4, PD-1/PD-L1, CD27/CD70, FGL-1/LAG-3, Siglec-15, VISTA (PD-1L)/VSIG3, CD47/SIRPA, APOE/LILRB4, TIGIT, and many others. Despite these strides, most patients do not show lasting remission, and some cancers have been completely resistant to the therapy. The potentially lethal adverse effects of checkpoint blockade represent another major challenge, the mechanisms of which remain poorly understood. Compared to the cancer signaling pathways, such as p53 and Ras, mechanistic studies on immune checkpoint pathways are still in their infancy. To improve the responses to checkpoint blockade therapy and limit the adverse effects, it is essential to understand the molecular regulation of checkpoint molecules in both malignant and healthy cells/tissues. This book begins with an introduction to immune checkpoint therapy and its challenges, and subsequently describes the regulation of checkpoints at different levels. In closing, it discusses recent therapeutic developments based on mechanistic findings, and outlines goals for future translational studies. The book offers a valuable resource for researchers in the cancer immunotherapy field, helping to form a roadmap for checkpoint regulation and develop safer and more effective immunotherapies.

* Overview of some of the key concepts in epigenetics, chromatin and the interaction with transcription factors * Shows the specific influence of environmental factors to influence or trigger the autoimmune response * Discusses the possibilities of using epigenetics-based therapies in the context of autoimmune diseases * Presents the application of novel methods to characterize the epigenetic profile This volume focuses on the relevance of epigenetic mechanisms in autoimmune disease. It provides new directions for future research in autoimmune disease.

Treating cancer has always been a major challenge. Although great strides in treatment have taken place in recent years, all too often current treatments are less than effective, or patients relapse. Newer methods of cancer treatment, namely targeted therapy and immunotherapy have generated great excitement in the scientific community. These newer methods of cancer treatment hold promise for patients who otherwise may have few options. Using the principles of health literacy, this updated edition includes many new therapies and describes the essential features of cancer treatments available to the general public in an engaging and stimulating manner. A simple, question/answer format and the use of illustrations, tables, charts, and boxes that highlight definitions, facts, and website links provide more detailed information. Features: Provides questions and answers about the characteristics of cancer, diagnosis, classifications, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, adoptive cell therapy, new developments, and more Cites many new therapies and includes numerous in-text Web links to information at the National Institutesof Health, the National Cancer Institute, journals, and other online sources Uses animations, practical tips, charts and tables, figures, and photos to explain topics under discussion.

This volume summarizes recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of HIV-1 latency, in characterizing residual viral reservoirs, and in developing targeted interventions to reduce HIV-1 persistence during antiretroviral therapy. Specific chapters address the molecular mechanisms that govern and regulate HIV-1 transcription and latency; assays and technical approaches to quantify viral reservoirs in humans and animal models; the complex interchange between viral reservoirs and the host immune system; computational strategies to model viral reservoir dynamics; and the development of therapeutic approaches that target viral reservoir cells. With contributions from an interdisciplinary group of investigators that cover a broad spectrum of subjects, from molecular virology to proof-of-principle clinical trials, this book is a valuable resource for basic scientists, translational investigators, infectious-disease physicians, individuals living with HIV/AIDS and the general public.

Advances in Cancer Research, Volume 142, the latest release in this ongoing, well-regarded serial, provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research.

To some, food allergies seem like fabricated cries for attention. To others, they pose a dangerous health threat. Food allergies are bound up with so many personal and ideological concerns that it is difficult to determine what is medical and what is myth. Another Person's Poison parses the political, economic, cultural, and genuine health factors of a phenomenon that dominates our interactions with others and our understanding of ourselves. For most of the twentieth century, food allergies were considered a fad or junk science. While many physicians and clinicians argued that certain foods could cause a range of chronic problems, from asthma and eczema to migraines and hyperactivity, others believed that allergies were psychosomatic. 'This book traces the trajectory of this debate and its effect on public-health policy and the production, manufacture, and consumption of food. Are rising allergy rates purely the result of effective lobbying and a booming industry built on self-diagnosis and expensive remedies? Or should physicians become more flexible in their approach to food allergies and more careful in their diagnoses? Exploring the issue from scientific, political, economic, social, and patient-centered perspectives, this book is the first to engage fully with the history of a major modern affliction, illuminating society's troubled relationship with food, disease, nature, and the creation of medical knowledge.

This comprehensive book presents an evidence-based approach to treating asthma in adults aged 65 and older, a vulnerable subset of patients who are more likely to experience higher morbidity and mortality rates, and often enduring higher financial burdens related to treatment. Treatment of Asthma in Older Adults: A Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Guide is a unique resource, providing an up-to-date review of medication strategies, how asthma phenotypes and treatment decisions interact, and how controlling asthma triggers impacts long-term asthma outcomes in older patients. Additionally, the book incorporates recent advances in alternative therapies that improve the patient's quality of life. Opening discussions address the unique challenges of the differential diagnosis of asthma in older adults, as well as an examination of the significant medical comorbidities that co-exist with asthma. Subsequent chapters provide strategies to optimizing asthma management in this specific population, including information on case management that will assist allied health providers. Finally, the book closes with an analysis of several novel targets for therapy to treat severe asthma including biologics, macrolides and bronchial thermoplasty. Written by experts in the field, Treatment of Asthma in Older Adults: A Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Guide is an indispensable resource for allergists, pulmonologists, family physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and all other allied clinicians.

This volume offers a comprehensive overview of basic and applied aspects of Staphylococcus aureus, which is one of the most important human pathogens. It includes sixteen chapters that address the microbiology and immunology of S. aureus, the pathology of its key manifestations, and the current standard of care. Further, it reviews cutting-edge advances in alternative therapeutic and prophylactic approaches to antibiotics. All chapters were written by respected experts in the field - presenting recent findings on a diverse range of aspects, they are nonetheless interlinked. As such, the book is a must-read for all researchers, clinicians and technicians engaged in basic or applied science work involving S. aureus.

The purpose of Central Nervous System Inflammation and Disease is to provide a succinct and well-organized reference volume focused on inflammatory CNS disease to a wide audience. In particular, this text is comprised of four sections revolving around current areas of interest within the field of neuroimmunology, virology, pharmacology and disease. Sections of this text focus on a specific category of diseases as well as the pharmacological, virological, and immunological effects of and on the disease. For example, this text explores how chemokines affect disease.

Although many have covered this topic, few have broken it down at this level. Each disease is broken down on a variety of scientific levels without getting into the history of the disease. At this level, we believe the targeted audience is familiar with the background information. This approach provides a succinct overview of a specific subject relating to interrelated topics pertaining to neurology, immunology and disease.

Thomas E. Lane is affiliated with University of California, Irvine's Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Monica Carson is affiliated with University of California, Riverside's Department of Biomedical Sciences. Conni Bergmann is affiliated with the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine in the Department of Neurology and Pathology. Tony Wyss-Coray is affiliated with Stanford University School of Medicine in the Departments of Microbiology and Neurology, and Neurological Sciences.

The tumor microenvironment has become a very important and hot topic in cancer research within the past few years. The tumor microenvironment is defined as the normal cells, molecules, and blood vessels that surround and feed a tumor cell. As many scientists have realized, studying the tumor microenvironment has become critical to moving the field forward, since there are many players in a tumor's localized and surrounding area, which can significantly change cancer cell behavior. There is a dual relationship wherein the tumor can change its microenvironment and the microenvironment can affect how a tumor grows and spreads. Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer Progression and Cancer Therapy aims to shed light on the mechanisms, factors, and mediators that are involved in the cancer cell environment. Recent studies have demonstrated that in addition to promoting tumor progression and protecting tumor cells from the spontaneous immune-mediated rejection and different forms of cancer therapeutics, tumor microenvironment can also be a target and mediator of both standard and newly-emerging forms of cancer therapeutics. Thus, the dual role of the tumor microenvironment is the integral focus of the volume. The volume highlights the bi-directional interactions between tumor cells and non-malignant tumor component during tumor progression and treatment. It also focuses on the three groups of the reactive tumor component: stromal cells, blood vessels and the infiltrating immune cells. These three groups are discussed under the lens of their role in promoting tumor growth, shielding the tumor from rejection and from standard forms of cancer therapies. They are emerging as targets and mediators of standard and new forms of potential therapy.