In this Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology on "High Density Lipoproteins - from biological understanding to clinical exploitation" contributing authors (members of COST Action BM0904/HDLnet) summarize in more than 20 chapters our current knowledge on the structure, function, metabolism and regulation of HDL in health and several diseases as well as the status of past and ongoing attempts of therapeutic exploitation. The book is of interest to researchers in academia and industry focusing on lipoprotein metabolism, cardiovascular diseases and immunology as well as clinical pharmacologists, cardiologists, diabetologists, nephrologists and other clinicians interested in metabolic or inflammatory diseases.

The understanding of chemokines, the proteins that control the migration of cells, and their receptors, is critical to the study of causes and therapies for a wide range of human diseases and infections, including certain types of cancer, inflammatory diseases, HIV, and malaria. This volume, focusing on chemokines as potential targets for disease intervention, and its companion volume ("Methods in Enzymology" volume 462, focusing on chemokine structure and function, as well as signaling) provide a comprehensive overview and time-tested protocols in this field, making it an essential reference for researchers in the area.
Along with its companion volume, provides a comprehensive overview of chemokine methods, specifically as related to potential disease therapy
Gathers tried, tested, and trusted methods and techniques from top players in chemokine research
Provides an essential reference for researchers in the field

Clinical Manifestations and Treatment: Clinical Manifestations of Lyme Borreliosis in an Italian Endemic Region; G. Bianchi. Lyme Borreliosis in Children; H.J. Christen, F. Hanefield. Ecology and Epidemiology: Lyme Borreliosis in Australia; R.D. Barry, et al. Geographic Diversity of Lyme Borreliosis; G. Bianchi. Role of Host Density in the Ecology of Lyme Disease; T.E. Awerbuch, A. Spielman. Biology of Immunopathogenesis: Expression of Public Idiotypes in Patients with Lyme Arthritis; J.S. Axford, et al. Lyme Disease in an Experimental Model; M.D. Gibson, et al. Chemotaxonomy of Borrelia; M.A. Livesley, P.A. Nuttall. Diagnosis: Detection of Lyme Disease Spirochaete DNA in Clinical Samples; K.J. Cann, et al. Clinical and Serological Study of Lyme Borreliosis in a Population of Neurological Patients; E. Capello. Pitfalls in the Laboratory Diagnosis of Lyme Borreliosis; S.J. Cutler. 36 additional articles. Index.

Immunosenescence is a unique, multi-disciplinary approach to the understanding of immune aging. It addresses the topic from the biological, as well as the psychological, social and behavioral perspectives. It is, thus, a valuable and timely addition to the literature in this area. Contributors include experts in the field, reviewing the state of the art in research.

This book will contain a series of solicited chapters that concern with the molecular machines required by viruses to perform various essential functions of virus life cycle. The first three chapters (Introduction, Molecular Machines and Virus Architecture) introduce the reader to the best known molecular machines and to the structure of viruses. The remainder of the book will examine in detail various stages of the viral life cycle. Beginning with the viral entry into a host cell, the book takes the reader through replication of the genome, synthesis and assembly of viral structural components, genome packaging and maturation into an infectious virion. Each chapter will describe the components of the respective machine in molecular or atomic detail, genetic and biochemical analyses, and mechanism. Topics are carefully selected so that the reader is exposed to systems where there is a substantial infusion of new knowledge in recent years, which greatly elevated the fundamental mechanistic understanding of the respective molecular machine. The authors will be encouraged to simplify the detailed knowledge to basic concepts, include provocative new ideas, as well as design colorful graphics, thus making the cutting-edge information accessible to broad audience.

"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 future research.
* Contributions from leading authorities and industry experts
* Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field

This book examines aspects of paediatric infectious diseases written by leading authorities in the field. It is based on a lecture given at the seventh Infection and Immunity in Children (IIC) course held at the end of June 2009 at Keble College, Oxford.

This volume summarizes the state-of-the-art in the fast growing research area of modeling the influence of information-driven human behavior on the spread and control of infectious diseases. In particular, it features the two main and inter-related "core" topics: behavioral changes in response to global threats, for example, pandemic influenza, and the pseudo-rational opposition to vaccines. In order to make realistic predictions, modelers need to go beyond classical mathematical epidemiology to take these dynamic effects into account. With contributions from experts in this field, the book fills a void in the literature. It goes beyond classical texts, yet preserves the rationale of many of them by sticking to the underlying biology without compromising on scientific rigor. Epidemiologists, theoretical biologists, biophysicists, applied mathematicians, and PhD students will benefit from this book. However, it is also written for Public Health professionals interested in understanding models, and to advanced undergraduate students, since it only requires a working knowledge of mathematical epidemiology.

Malaria has defeated previous efforts at eradication and remains a massive global public health problem despite being readily preventable and treatable. It is a devastating disease that also extracts huge economic costs from the poorest countries in endemic regions. Starting with an overview of the disease and its current political, financial and technical context, this Milestones in Drug Therapy volume describes the history, chemistry, mechanisms of action and resistance, preclinical and clinical use, pharmacokinetics and safety and tolerability of the current range of antimalarial drugs. There is particular emphasis on artemisinins and related peroxides, as these drugs have now become the frontline treatment for malaria. Next generation antimalarials, molecular markers for detecting resistance, the importance of diagnostics and disease prevention are also covered in detail.

This book deals with many recent advances made in uncovering the molecular and cellular basis of phagocytosis of apoptotic and necrotic dying cells as well as with the methods used for studying their clearance. There are important practical and clinical reasons for attempting to understand the molecular mechanisms of phagocytosis of dying cells, because inadequate clearance of dying cells may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus), as well as atherosclerosis and chronic lung diseases (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and cystic fibrosis). Furthermore, in this book we examine the possibility of using apoptotic cells in the prevention and treatment of graft rejection and in the rational design of immunotherapy and vaccines for cancer treatment. The role of environmental factors in phagocytosis of dying cells is also addressed.

This comprehensive volume integrates the most innovative and current findings from several related disciplines of scientific research, including pathology, immunology, genetics, and cellular and molecular biology. It is divided into two sections: "Molecular mechanisms of phagocytosis of dying cells" and "Impairment of phagocytosis of dying cells and its role in the development of diseases." No other recent books devoted to this subject are available.

All of the contributors are experts working at the forefront of scientific discovery, and the reviews they present systematically examine the most exciting and innovative aspects of their particular areas of expertise. Both researchers and physicians will find this volume of major benefit because it covers the immunological and molecular biological aspects of phagocytosis of dying cells as well as its clinical relevance.

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 future research.
* Contributions from leading authorities and industry experts
* Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field
* Reference and guide for scientists and specialists involved in advancements in immunology

Cancer still remains a most important killer and even though synthetic chemotherapeutic agents are currently used, they are cost-intensive and do not always meet the expectations.

In parallel, there is increasing evidence for the potential of nature-derived compounds on the inhibition of different steps of cancer initiation, promotion and progression.

We believe that all diseases can be found in Nature but that Nature also provides the efficient cures as said the Prophet of Allah: Allah did not create any illness without also creating the remedy .

The content of this book gives a multi-disciplinary approach into the anti-cancer research field related to natural products and dietary compounds. Mainly, it covers the area of antitumor activity through an in-depth description of the cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties in cancer, inflammatory and cardio-vascular diseases. The cell death inducing mechanisms (apoptosis, anti-proliferative activity, angiogenesis, cell cycle control, cytostatic property and autophagy) give an overview of how natural products are able to target cancer cells.

We believe that all diseases can be found in Nature but that Nature also provides the efficient cures as said the Prophet of Allah: Allah did not create any illness without also creating the remedy .

The content of this book gives a multi-disciplinary approach into the anti-cancer research field related to natural products and dietary compounds. Mainly, it covers the area of antitumor activity through an in-depth description of the cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties in cancer, inflammatory and cardio-vascular diseases. The cell death inducing mechanisms (apoptosis, anti-proliferative activity, angiogenesis, cell cycle control, cytostatic property and autophagy) give an overview of how natural products are able to target cancer cells."

This volume provides comprehensive explanations and detailed examples of different antibody libraries, along with novel approaches for antibody discovery. The chapters in this book are divided into four sections: 1) construction of antibody libraries; 2) selection strategies for antibodies; 3) complementary approaches for antibody selection; and 4) phage display for epitope mapping and biomarker identification. The chapters also provide a list of antibody phage display technologies and applications. 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. Cutting-edge and practical, Phage Display: Methods and Protocols will provide technical assistance to new start-ups venturing into the field of antibody phage display. This volume will also aid in stirring interest and ideas among researchers in this ever-expanding subject.

This book deals with the paradoxical role of autophagy in tumor suppression and tumor promotion in cancer cells. Autophagy plays opposing, context-dependent roles in tumors; accordingly, strategies based on inhibiting or stimulating autophagy could offer as potential cancer therapies. The book elucidates the physiological role of autophagy in modulating cancer metastasis, which is the primary cause of cancer-associated mortality. Further, it reviews its role in the differentiation, development, and activation of multiple immune cells, and its potential applications in tumor immunotherapy. In addition, it examines the effect of epigenetic modifications of autophagy-associated genes in regulating tumor growth and therapeutic response and summarizes autophagy's role in the development of resistance to a variety of anti-cancer drugs in cancer cells. In closing, it assesses autophagy as a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable asset for all oncologists and researchers who wish to understand the potential role of autophagy in tumor biology.

"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 future research.

More than ever, antibodies are being recognized as a major drug modality in a variety of diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, or even neurodegenerative disorders. Over 30 therapeutic antibodies have been approved and novel molecules are entering clinical trials at an average rate of 50 per year and that is predicted to continue well into the future. Notwithstanding the many achievements already made in the field, there is still a lot of room for improvements for these molecules in terms of activity, and a plethora of approaches have been attempted to optimize these molecules. Antibody Engineering: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition was compiled to give complete and easy access to a variety of antibody engineering techniques, starting from the creation of antibody repertoires and efficient ways to select binders from these repertoires, to their production in various hosts, their detailed characterization using various well established techniques, and to the modification and optimization of these lead molecules in terms of binding activity, specificity, size, shape, and more. Written in the 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 protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Antibody Engineering: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition serves as an invaluable resource for both experts and those new to the field, and most of all as a source of inspiration for the creation of the antibodies of tomorrow.

The book summarises the current understanding of the Nervous -, Endocrine and Immune systems with emphasis on shared mediators and receptors and functional interaction. In addition to the fundamental physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms, which are presented in detail, some clinically relevant subjects are also presented, such as inflammation, asthma and allergy, autoimmune disease, immunodeficiency and the acute phase response.

- A comprehensive presentation of neuroimmune biology
- Introduces the subject matter to the uninformed reader
- Contains basic information, theoretical considerations and up-to-date clinical chapters
- The clinical chapters will be helpful to practising physicians

1 Immunogenetics of nephritis.- 2 Introduction and regulation of autoimmune experimental glomerulonephritis.- 3 Molecular mechanisms of in situ immune complex formation in experimental membranous nephropathy.- 4 Immune complex handling in systemic lupus erythematosus.- 5 The membrane attack complex of complement in renal injury.- 6 Cell-mediated immunity in glomerulonephritis.- 7 Eicosanoids and cytokines in glomerular injury.- 8 Immunology of minimal-change nephropathy.- 9 IgA nephropathies and Henoch-Schonlein purpura.- 10 C3 nephritic factor and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.- 11 Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease.- 12 Autoimmunity in systemic vasculitis.- 13 Immunopathogenic mechanisms of interstitial nephritis.

Inflammation has invaded the field of psychiatry. The finding that cytokines are elevated in various affective and psychotic disorders brings to the forefront the necessity of identifying the precise research domain criteria (RDoCs) that inflammation is responsible for. This task is certainly the most advanced in major depressive disorders. The reason is that a dearth of clinical and preclinical studies has demonstrated that inflammation can cause symptoms of depression and conversely, cytokine antagonists can attenuate symptoms of depression in medical and psychiatric patients with chronic low grade inflammation. Important knowledge has been gained on the symptom dimensions that inflammation is driving and the mechanisms of action of cytokines in the brain, providing new targets for drug research and development. The aim of the book "Inflammation-Associated Depression" is to present this field of research and its implications in a didactic and comprehensive manner to basic and clinical scientists, psychiatrists, physicians, and students at the graduate level.

The immune synapse can be compared to a molecular machine that controls T cell activation when getting in contact with an antigen-presenting cell (APC). The immune synapse is involved in the transfer of information across the T cell-APC junction. It plays an essential role in the control and nature of the immune response. In recent years several approaches have been developed to reprogramming the immune response by targeting molecules involved in the immune synapse. Monoclonal antibodies, such as the ones targeting the lymphocyte co-receptor, co-stimulatory and adhesion molecules (CD3, CD4, CD40L, CTLA4-Ig, ICAM-1), or altered peptide ligands have been shown capable of inducing immune tolerance in transplantation, autoimmunity and allergy. This volume gives an overview on the progress in the field, from basic science to clinical trials, and the major mechanisms involved. It discusses how interfering with T cell activation may lead to immune tolerance, immune modulation and the recruitment of regulatory T cells, the role of monoclonal antibodies in tolerance induction, and mechanisms maintaining dominant tolerance. The book is of interest to clinicians and researchers working in this area.

After the discovery of milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor-factor 8 (MFG-E8) about two decades ago, a new era of delineating its potential beneficial role in several inflammatory diseases has begun to spout from the bench to translational research. In MFG-E8 and Inflammation, the editor and contributors have gathered a remarkable collection covering novel discoveries on the rapidly growing field of MFG-E8 and Inflammation which includes not only the findings from their individual lobotomies, but also from a host of pioneering researchers of this field. MFG-E8 and Inflammation starts by describing the origin, structure, expression, functions and regulation of MFG-E8, and then continues thoughtfully exploring its potentiality as a marker for apoptotic, stressed and activated cells. The topics cover the cellular and physiological function of MFG-E8, especially its role in efficient phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, intestinal barrier function, blood cell homeostasis and coagulation, and in the maintenance of the intact vascular system. The role of MFG-E8 in macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, dendritic cells, platelets, as well as non-hematopoietic cells is adequately described in the book. The chapters also contain several lucid discussions on the recent discoveries of the roles of MFG-E8 in the autoimmune diseases, sepsis, tissue ischemia-reperfusion, hemorrhage, inflammatory bowel diseases, acute lung injury, asthma, lung fibrosis, stroke, prion diseases and Alzheimer's diseases with the potential focus on elucidating novel mechanistic pathways. MFG-E8 and Inflammation is an indispensable resource for scientists and clinical researchers working on fundamental or applied aspects of MFG-E8 pathobiology. This book explores, dissects and reviews several noteworthy findings and striking future perspectives which not only rewrite the disease pathophysiology, but also update our understanding towards attaining novel therapeutic potentials against various inflammatory diseases.

Spanning from discoveries in fundamental immunology to industrial and commercial concerns, the study of vaccine adjuvants has developed into an exciting area of work with great, vital potential in innovating techniques in which adjuvants may steer the immune system towards the responses required by unmet vaccination needs. In Vaccine Adjuvants: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field provide clear and concise guidance on how to go about assessing the activity of adjuvant products. Rather than describing individual adjuvants, the volume strives to include detailed, practical information on measuring the responses produced by adjuvants in order to be relevant to the widest array of experiments. 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 notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and versatile, Vaccine Adjuvants: Methods and Protocols will enable those already pursuing vaccine adjuvant research, while also serving to stimulate discussion on how to best standardize adjuvant testing in order to facilitate meaningful comparisons, and above all, to aid in the prediction of which new products will most effectively and safely help to solve the current challenges in vaccination.

Immunoelectron microscopy is a key technique that bridges the information gap between biochemistry, molecular biology, and ultrastructural studies placing macromolecular functions within a cellular context. In Immunoelectron Microscopy: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers combine the tools of the molecular biologist with those of the microscopist. From the molecular biology toolbox, this volume presents methods for antigen production by protein expression in bacterial cells, methods for epitope tagged protein expression in plant and animal cells allowing protein localization in the absence of protein specific antibodies as well as methods for the production of anti-peptide, monoclonal, and polyclonal antibodies. From the microscopy toolbox, sample preparation methods for cells, plant, and animal tissue are presented. Both cryo-methods, which have the advantage of retaining protein antigenicity at the expense of ultrastructural integrity, as well as chemical fixation methods that maintain structural integrity while sacrificing protein antigenicity have been included, with chapters examining various aspects of immunogold labeling. 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 notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and essential, Immunoelectron Microscopy: Methods and Protocols seeks to facilitate an increased understanding of structure function relationships.

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.

From the first detailed clinical description of the disease in the Midwestern United States in 1918, to the isolation of the causative agent, the first of any influenza virus, in 1930to its role in the genesis of the 2009 human pandemic, swine have played a central role in the ecology of influenza. Although not considered the major natural reservoir for influenza A viruses, swine are host to a limited but dynamic assortment of viruses. A number of subtypes of influenza A viruses of human and avian origin, including H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H7, and H9, have been isolated from global swine populations. Most of these isolations have, however, been limited in number and it is only H1 and H3 influenza viruses that are known to have formed stable lineages in swine. In this respect, swine influenza viruses (SIV) are similar to their counterparts in humans where H1 and H3 viruses have also been maintained. The nature of these H1 and H3 viruses differ between the two host populations, however, and, as discussed throughout this book, are even different in swine populations in different geographic regions of the world due to multiple introductions of avian and human influenza viruses.

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