This detailed volume explores various aspects of the dengue virus and its four serotypes (DENV1-4). Beginning with a section on protocols to produce DENV and its proteins that are fundamental for many biophysical, biochemical, immunological, and cellular studies, the book continues by covering protocols to study the interactions between DENV and cellular proteins, DENV immunopathogenesis and diagnosis, as well as recent advances in animal models that can be used in studies of DENV immunopathogenesis and vaccine development. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, 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. Authoritative and practical, Dengue Virus: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide for researchers attempting to further understand this critical threat to worldwide public health.

This volume explores the latest techniques used to study Mycobacterium ulcerans, and more specifically M. ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer). The chapters in this book are organized into three parts and cover methods for the detection of M. ulcerans and the analysis of host-pathogen interaction; the quantification and characterization of mycolactone, the macrolide toxin of M. ulcerans; and drug development against M. ulcerans. 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. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Mycobacterium ulcerans: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource that helps scientists advance their research on Buruli ulcer, which is still an under-researched field in infection biology.

Leading researchers are specially invited to provide a complete understanding of a key topic within the multidisciplinary fields of physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. In a form immediately useful to scientists, this periodical aims to filter, highlight and review the latest developments in these rapidly advancing fields.

This research volume examines the available alternative, complementary, pharmaceutical and vaccine methods for treating, mitigating, or preventing COVID-19. Coverage includes traditional Chinese medicine, herbal remedies, nutraceutical/dietary options, and drug/vaccine therapies. All the methods discussed will be critically examined to provide readers with a full, unbiased overview that includes pros/cons of each method. While the nature of COVID-19 is still being studied, and new research and theories are being published daily, this book endeavors to provide readers with a comprehensive summary of current research on alternative and mainstream treatment and prevention methods.

A two-in-one text providing teaching lab students with an overview of immunology as well as a lab manual complete with current standard exercises. Section I of this book provides an overview of the immune system and immunity, and includes review questions, problem sets, case studies, inquiry-based questions, and more to provide students with a strong foundation in the field. Section II consists of twenty-two lab exercises focused on key concepts in immunology, such as antibody production, cell separation, cell function, immunoassays, Th1/Th2 cytokine detection, cell and tissue culture methods, and cell and molecular biology techniques. Appendices include safety information, suggested links and readings, and standard discipline processes, protocols, and instructions.

This book fills the need for a simplified text covering western blotting protocols aimed not just at high school and college students, but the researcher with little to no experience in these techniques. It provides the principles, basic methodology, and tips and tricks to avoiding the common pitfalls of western blotting. The book also introduces simple protocols that can transform western blotting into a fun method, such as sending secret messages on membranes or using nitrocellulose membrane as a canvas for art. In addition to the techniques, this book also covers the history of western blotting, which originated from the development of the blotting of DNA. It then delves into the importance of protein blotting, brought to the fore by the fact that the procedure has been evolving constantly since its inception in 1979, and the fact that the scientific community is faced with a multitude of ways and means of transferring proteins to membranes..

Reproductive Immunology is a growing area in both immunology and reproductive sciences and is helping us to better understand several complications of pregnancy. Immunology of Pregnancy is the first book to give a complete and up to date review of our knowledge related to the role of the immune system during pregnancy and the interactions between the placenta and the maternal immune system. This new title covers in detail all the different hypotheses and studies related to the immunology of implantation and provide a practical approach for the application of basic reproductive immunology research to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, pre-term labor and IUGR."

The complement system is a group of proteins which plays a major role in the processing and removal of microorganisms and tissue breakdown products from the circulation and extracellular spaces. The system is activated by a wide range of targets, and activation leads to the production of opsonins, chemotaxis of granulocytes, cell lysis and other biological activities. Inappropriate overactivation of the system contributes to inflammatory tissue damage in the host, while inadequate activation leads to accumulation of immune complexes and other debris in the circulation, and susceptibility to infection. The biology and biochemistry of the system is now adequately understood, and attempts can be made to manipulate the activation and activities of the system for potential therapeutic purposes. The reviews in this volume summarise what is known of the ways in which the complement system can be activated, by interaction with antibodies, microorganisms, cell debris, and complex carbohydrates and how the activities and activation of the system have been modified, accidentally or by design, in vitro or in vivo by drugs, venoms, particulate carbohydrates, specific antibodies, synthetic peptides and other reagents.

This first edited Volume on IgY-Technology, addresses the historical and dynamic development of IgY-applications. The authors cover the biological basis and theoretical context, methodological guidance, and applications of IgY-Technology. A focus is laid on the use of IgY-antibodies for prophylactic/therapeutic purposes in human and veterinary medicine. Aside from applications, the chapters also offer an evolutionary understanding of the IgY molecule, IgY receptors and practical prerequisites to produce IgY-antibodies. Guidance is given for every step of the process. Starting with an introduction to hens as a model species and including hen husbandry, hen egg-laying capacity and total IgY outcomes. Readers will also learn about immunization techniques, the advantages and limitations of different IgY extraction methods, as well as storage stability of the final product. The last part of the volume highlights hands-on aspects of applications, such as IgY delivery strategies, new methods to produce monoclonal IgY-antibodies or production of functional IgY fragments by phage-display as well as commercial exploitation of the technology. Thus, this book is a valuable resource and guide for Scientists, Clinicians and Health Product Developers in both human and veterinary medicine.

Welcome to the City of Groningen, the center of the North of the Netherlands. Groningen is proud of the long lasting tradition of scientific symposia organised by the Sanquin Blood Bank. These Sanquin International Symposia on Blood Transfusion have become a true traditional event in Groningen, marking the early academic year and have contributed to the specific reputation of Groningen and its University in the scientific field of Transfusion Medicine. The growing tradition has also contributed to initiatives of both University, Province and the City of Groningen to bring science and industry together - BioMedCity Groningen. Such repu- tion does not just happen, but is the result of creative and scientific leadership, of vision and an open mind, to explore in a team spirit horizons. Groningen is particularly proud of this reputation thanks to its leadership, the Sanquin Blood Bank North-East. This year in particular the theme chosen some two years ago is extremely timely as it illustrates the activities and scientific interest of an integrated team which includes our regional Sanquin Blood Bank North-East and fits in the City initiatives within the concept of BioMedCity, Groningen.

This volume discusses the vaccine development process and the role delivery concepts contribute to a global goal of effective health outcomes. The chapters in this book cover a wide range of topics such as antigen discovery methods; genetic and protein antigen preparation; preparation of viral vaccines as VLPs; viral and non-viral gene delivery; needle-less or non-invasive delivery technology; vaccine storage; and vaccine administration and assessment. 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, Vaccine Delivery Technology: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for both novice and expert researchers, in and outside the field, who would like to gain insight into the impactful field of vaccines. Chapter 7 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This book stems from a conference held at Magdeburg-Herrenkrug, Germany, in November 1996 on "Cellular Peptidases in Immune Functions and Diseases. " This sympo- sium was designed to bring together scientists from diverse areas of expertise to discuss issues of newly identified relevance of proteolytic processes and their role as molecular regulators in the immune system and in diseases. The meeting was organized by the Son- derforschungsbereich 387 of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft "ZelluHire Proteasen, Bedeutung fiir Immunmechanismen und entziindliche Erkrankungen," which links re- search groups from the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg and the Martin Luther University Halle. It has become clear during the last decade that proteolysis, the processing and degrada- tion of peptides and proteins, has to be considered as a special level of epigenetic control of practically all processes of life and-an understanding dating from the last three years or so--also of cell death or apoptosis. There is also increasing evidence that proteolysis does play a crucial role in all areas of immune functions as well as in inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. Cellular proteases have central functions in natural (nonspecific) as well as acquired in the cognitive phase (antigen processing and presen- (specific) immunity. They are involved tation), in the activation phase (e. g. , generation and processing of cytokines, function of CD26, CD 13, processing of transcription factors) as well as in the effector phase of the im- mune response (e. g. , complement system, granzymes, elastase, proteinase 3.

This book represents an evolutionary approach to defense mechanisms of all living organisms. The results achieved in developmental and comparative immunology are among the most interesting data in immunology. These results have great impact on our understanding fundamental problems of the pathology of the human immune system. At the same time, the field of evolutionary immunology provides not only inspiration for further investigation in biomedicine, but also a number of results applicable in clinical and commercial practice.

This book evaluates the advantages and limitations of studying the development of defense reactions. In addition to reviewing the major and crucial achievements of the past, the book offers a comprehensive state-of-the-art treatise focused primarily on the latest experiments described in the last few years.

This second edition provides updated and new chapters to build on and extend the strengths of the first edition. Chapters guide readers through basic biology of basophils, obtaining the cells by purification, culture of stem cells progenitors, peripheral CD34+ stem cell-derived mast cells, basophils from CD34+ progenitors, diagnostic applications, gene expression patterns in basophils, roles of basophils in different asthma phenotypes, knockout, and disease models. 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. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Basophils and Mast Cells: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

This detailed book focuses on various aspects of Invariant Natural Killer T-Cells (iNKT), which are known to contribute to homeostasis and autoimmunity and can also cause various pathological responses such as allergy, infection, excessive autoimmune response, and cancer. The volume explores techniques for identification and isolation of iNKT cells, iNKT cell activation and transformation, as well as proliferation and differentiation and much more. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, 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. Authoritative and practical, Invariant Natural Killer T-Cells: Methods and Protocols is an ideal guide for researchers working with and studying iNKT cells, perhaps to provide a deeper knowledge of the human immune system.

This book provides a comprehensive, up-to-date review of the state of knowledge on the role of microbes in inducing autoimmune diseases. The initial chapters address the basic concept and clinical implications of immunology, while the following section discusses the role of genetics, epigenetics, hormones, stochastic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. The third section introduces readers to various autoimmune disorders and presents the cellular and molecular mechanisms of autoimmune diseases. In closing, the book examines the role of intestinal flora in the development of autoimmune diseases, delineates the underlying mechanism responsible for autoimmunity onset, and examines the potential of microbial therapeutics in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable asset for all scientists and clinicians working in immunology, rheumatology and autoimmune diseases.

This book explains about amino acids (AAs) which are not only building blocks of protein, but are also signaling molecules as well as regulators of gene expression and the protein phosphorylation cascade. Additionally, AAs are key precursors for syntheses of hormones and low-molecular-weight nitrogenous substances with each having enormous biological importance. For example, physiological concentrations of AA metabolites (e.g., nitric oxide, polyamines, glutathione, taurine, thyroid hormones, and serotonin) are required for cell functions. Growing evidence shows that humans and animals have dietary requirements for all proteinogenic AAs. Mammals, birds, and fish also have species- and age-dependent needs for some AA-related substances. However, elevated levels of other products (e.g., ammonia, homocysteine, H2S, and asymmetric dimethylarginine) are pathogenic factors for neurological disorders, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular disease. Thus, optimal amounts of AAs and their ratios in diets and circulation are crucial for whole-body homeostasis and health. Adequate provision of one or a mixture of functional AAs or metabolites may be beneficial for ameliorating health problems at various stages of the life cycle (e.g., fetal growth restriction, neonatal morbidity and mortality, weaning-associated intestinal dysfunction and wasting syndrome, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, the metabolic syndrome, and infertility). Dietary supplementation of these nutrients can also optimize the efficiency of metabolic transformations to enhance muscle growth, milk production, and athletic performance, while preventing excess fat deposition and reducing adiposity. Therefore, functional AAs hold great promise in improving the growth, health, and well-being of individuals.

This book provides a lucid summary of behavioral, neural and endocrine regulation of immune responses and of the effects of immune system activity on neural and endocrine functions and behavior. The underlying premise is that the brain and immune system represent a single, integrated system of defense. The discussion includes such topics and stress induced modulation of innate resistance and adaptive immunity in influenza viral infections.

There is increasing evidence that the CD1 system has been conserved throughout mammalian evolution and is capable of presenting structurally diverse diacyglycerol, sphingolipid, polyisoprenol and lipopeptide antigens. These features of CD1 antigen presentation systems now point to a new and expanded view of the natural function of ab T cells, which involves surveillance of both the protein and lipid components of target cells. Further, cellular systems that were previously considered to have functions in lipid metabolism can now be studied in context of their immunological functions. This volume provides a comprehensive discussion of these basic aspects of CD1 biology and summarizes the most recent research into the role of CD1 in infectious, autoimmune, allergic and neoplastic disease.

Aegean Conferences is an independent, nonprofit, educational organization directed and managed by the scientific community. The board is made up of nine researchers/scientists in various disciplines from Harvard, Brown, University of Pennsylvania, UCSD, Princeton, Biovista and the Foundation for Biomedical Research Academy of Athens. The board both invites and approves unsolicited proposals for Conferences in all fields of Science, Engineering, Arts, and Humanities. The purpose of the Conferences is to bring together individuals with common interests to examine the emerging and most advanced aspects of their particular field.

This volume will include mini-reviews derived from work to be presented at the Aegean Conference: Second Crossroads between Innate and Adaptive Immunity, in Crete, Greece, June 17-22, 2007. This meeting is designed to serve as a forum to discuss the most recent progress in complement research as it pertains to human disease pathogenesis and therapeutics. The rapid pace of development in complement basic research and the advent and application of new experimental approaches in this field have now allowed us to take an integrated view of the in vivo biology of the complement system. The availability of new reagents (e.g. synthetic and recombinant inhibitors) and animal models (e.g. transgenic and knockout mice) has enabled us to address, in an in vivo setting, its involvement in various pathophysiological conditions. Such studies are shedding new light on the pathogenetic mechanism of complement-related diseases such as autoimmune diseases and inflammatory tissue damage as well as defining new areas of high interest such as the developmental biology of complement. They also provide the basis for developing new therapeutic strategies for these diseases through manipulation of in vivo complement activity. This volume will serve as a resource where the latest development in these specific areas will be discussed in a more focused and detailed manner.

This volume details a collection of laboratory protocols to study asthma in mice and humans. Chapters cover animal models of asthma, methods to measure asthma-related molecules, protocols to detect, isolate, culture and stimulate cells that contribute to asthma in mice and humans, methods to deplete these cells in vivo and study responses of intact airway tissues ex vivo. Written in the format of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, lists necessary materials and reagents, includes tips on troubleshooting and known pitfalls, and step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Asthma: Methods and Protocols aims to be a foundation for future studies and to be a source of inspiration for new investigations in the field.

The proposed book is envisioned for the nascent and entry-level researchers who are interested to work in the field of drug delivery and its applications specifically for macrophage targeting. Macrophages have gained substantial attention as therapeutic targets for drug delivery considering their major role in health and regulation of diseases. Macrophage-targeted therapeutics have now added significant value to the lives and quality of life of patients, without undue adverse effects in multiple disease settings. We anticipate examining and integrating the role of macrophages in the instigation and advancement of various diseases. The major focus of the book is on recent advancements in various targeting strategies using delivery systems or nanocarriers followed by application of these nanocarriers for the treatment of macrophage associated disorders. Macrophage Targeted Delivery Systems is primarily targeted to Pharmaceutical Industry & Academia, Medical & Pharmaceutical Professionals, Undergraduate & Post graduate students and Research Scholars, Ph.D, post docs working in the field of medical and pharmaceutical sciences.