This volume features contributions from participants of the ESRF symposium on "Immunotherapy in 2020a "Visions and Trends for Targeting Inflammatory Diseases" held in Potsdam near Berlin, Germany, in October 2006.

The symposium presentations covered the main mechanisms of immunoregulation such as peripheral and central tolerance, epigenetic programming, immunologic memory, and regulatory networks in inflammation as well as novel experimental and clinical approaches for targeting inflammation in autoimmunity and transplantation. An important related question is how recent findings in immunological research can lead to improved diagnostics, new drugs, and better therapies. The targeting of novel pathways and immunoregulatory mechanisms, the challenge of immunologic memory for lastingly successful anti-inflammatory therapy, new approaches for adoptive T cell and polyclonal antibody therapies, and the individualization of immunomodulatory therapies are thereby topics of this volume.

The immune system has been known to be capable of distinguishing self from non-self since the pioneering work of Paul Erhlich more than a century ago. Originally described in experiments studying blood transfusion comp- ibility, the principle of "horror autotoxicus" is still valid, although today the phenomenon is usually described in terms of tolerance or ignorance. A great deal has been learned about the various processes preventing self-reactivity normally. These include processes that operate during immune cell ontogeny and subsequently on reactivity of mature lymphocytes in the periphery. They encompass mechanisms that are intrinsic to potentially reactive lymphocytes and can result in central or peripheral deletion or the alteration of functional potential. In addition, there are in?uences that are extrinsic to potentially auto-reactive lymphocytes, including the function of regulatory cells, d- ferentiation state of antigen-presenting cells, availability of self-antigen, the cytokine and chemokine milieu, as well as the traf?cking patterns involved in generating productive immune interactions. It is clear that the immune system devotes a considerable effort to the avoidance of the development of potentially pathogenic self-reactivity. Despite this, the development of self-reactivity is relatively common. - though the development of autoimmune disease is less frequent, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus e- thematosus, psoriasis, thyroiditis, and myasthenia gravis, are all too common, and can cause considerable morbidity and even mortality.

Molecular Biology of B Cells, Third Edition provides a comprehensive reference on how B cells are generated, selected, activated, and engaged in antibody production. These developmental and stimulatory processes are described in molecular, immunological, and genetic terms to give a clear understanding of complex phenotypes. The book offers an integrated view of B cells to produce a normal immune response as a constant, and the molecular basis of numerous diseases due to B cell abnormality. This new edition provides updated research on B cell development and function, the use of therapeutic antibodies in cancer and infectious disease, and more. With updated research and continued comprehensive coverage of all aspects of B cell biology, Molecular Biology of B Cells, this updated release is a definitive resource, vital for researchers across molecular biology, immunology, and genetics.

This volume features contributions from participants of the ESRF symposium on Immunotherapy in 2020-Visions and Trends for Targeting Inflammatory Diseases held in Potsdam near Berlin, Germany, in October 2006. The symposium presentations covered the main mechanisms of immunoregulation.

Flow cytometric analysis of molecular, biochemical, genetic and developmental parameters using cellular fluorescence techniques as well as fluorescence-activated (FACS) or magnetic (MACS) cell sorting technologies provide unique options for molecular and cellular biology. In recent years, these technologies have been considerably advanced.
In this second edition, all chapters have been updated according to the recent improvements and modifications. Further, new protocols have been added, such as on magnetic selection, magnetofluorescent liposomes, the cytometry of secreted products and microbead assays, as well as reporter gene assays for cytometry and cell selection. The recent technical developments allow diagnostic differentiation of cells according to specific gene expression, identification of rare disease-associated cells and isolation of well-defined cells at high purity for cell therapies.

The immune system has been known to be capable of distinguishing self from non-self since the pioneering work of Paul Erhlich more than a century ago. Originally described in experiments studying blood transfusion comp- ibility, the principle of "horror autotoxicus" is still valid, although today the phenomenon is usually described in terms of tolerance or ignorance. A great deal has been learned about the various processes preventing self-reactivity normally. These include processes that operate during immune cell ontogeny and subsequently on reactivity of mature lymphocytes in the periphery. They encompass mechanisms that are intrinsic to potentially reactive lymphocytes and can result in central or peripheral deletion or the alteration of functional potential. In addition, there are in?uences that are extrinsic to potentially auto-reactive lymphocytes, including the function of regulatory cells, d- ferentiation state of antigen-presenting cells, availability of self-antigen, the cytokine and chemokine milieu, as well as the traf?cking patterns involved in generating productive immune interactions. It is clear that the immune system devotes a considerable effort to the avoidance of the development of potentially pathogenic self-reactivity. Despite this, the development of self-reactivity is relatively common. - though the development of autoimmune disease is less frequent, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus e- thematosus, psoriasis, thyroiditis, and myasthenia gravis, are all too common, and can cause considerable morbidity and even mortality.

Flow cytometric analysis of molecular, biochemical, genetic and developmental parameters using cellular fluorescence techniques as well as fluorescence-activated (FACS) or magnetic (MACS) cell sorting technologies provide unique options for molecular and cellular biology. In recent years, these technologies have been considerably advanced. In this second edition, all chapters have been updated according to the recent improvements and modifications. Further, new protocols have been added, such as on magnetic selection, magnetofluorescent liposomes, the cytometry of secreted products and microbead assays, as well as reporter gene assays for cytometry and cell selection. The recent technical developments allow diagnostic differentiation of cells according to specific gene expression, identification of rare disease-associated cells and isolation of well-defined cells at high purity for cell therapies.

"Molecular Biology of B Cells, Second Edition" is a comprehensive reference to how B cells are generated, selected, activated and engaged in antibody production.All of these developmental and stimulatory processes are described in molecular, immunological, and genetic terms to give a clear understanding of complex phenotypes.

"Molecular Biology of B Cells, Second Edition" offers an integrated view of all aspects of B cells to produce a normal immune response as a constant, and the molecular basis of numerous diseases due to B cell abnormality. The new edition continues its success with updated research on microRNAs in B cell development and immunity, new developments in understanding lymphoma biology, and therapeutic targeting of B cells for clinical application. With updated research and continued comprehensive coverage of all aspects of B cell biology, "Molecular Biology of B Cells, Second Edition" is the definitive resource, vital for researchers across molecular biology, immunology and genetics.
Covers signaling mechanisms regulating B cell differentiationProvides information on the development of therapeutics using monoclonal antibodies and clinical application of AbContains studies on B cell tumors from various stages of B lymphocytesOffers an integrated view of all aspects of B cells to produce a normal immune response"