This work has broad applications in clinical medicine, ranging from prevention and treatment of organ and bone marrow transplant rejection, management of various autoimmune disorders (for example, rheumatoid arthritis), skin disease and asthma. Whereas traditionally only a small repertoire of immunosuppressive agents was available for clinical use, recent discoveries have significantly increased the number of approved agents, resulting in numerous trials to further evaluate their potential. There is also considerable interest in the potential of cell-based therapies (particularly hematopoietic stem and dendritic cell therapy) of allo- and autoimmunity. Important recent advances in the immunotherapy of allergic diseases are also covered in this book. This volume is intended both for practising physicians and surgeons and for biomedical scientists at the graduate/postdoctoral levels, and is designed to provide the theory behind these various approaches to immunosuppression, and to provide state-of-the-art reviews of current developments in each area.

The natural killer NK] cell plays a critical role in regulating the innate and adaptive immune response to pathogens, injury and stress. It has emerged as a cell capable of helper function, expansion, contraction, and accelerated memory responses - features similar to other adaptive immune cells. It is a professional accelerator of immunity, mediating dendritic cell maturation and its precursors critical for the origin and development of secondary lymph node structures. These characteristics place the NK cell in a unique position, with a major role in sculpting the host response to damage and injury. This volume is the first complete and authoritative reference to explore these emergent, exciting aspects of the NK cell, placing it at the center of damage/danger recognition and the response to stress. "Natural Killer Cells" details NK cell biology, the role of NK cells in regulating immunity through interactions with other cells and tissues, the participation of NK cells in disease and special topics in NK biology.

- Provides a broad, detailed coverage of the biology and interactions of NK cells for students, fellows, scientists, and practitioners - Includes figures, histologic sections, and illustrations of the ontogeny of NK cells - Companion website includes full-color image database

Most of the diseases of modern mankind involve either acute or chronic inflammation. Measuring Immunity integrates the current information available on biomarkers and surrogate assays into a single handbook. It highlights the principles behind various applications, gives a brief summary on how they are conducted and provides detailed and critical analyses of murine models of immunity, clinical trials, and tests to predict utility and benefit. Measuring Immunity is indispensable for scientists and clinicians interested in the clinical applications of modern immunobiology.
* Defines which assays of immune function are helpful in the assessment of clinical disorders involving inflammation and immunity
* Assesses the dynamics of cellular and soluble factors in the peripheral blood using modern techniques
* Includes basic science foundations as well as the approaches currently applied

Dendritic Cells, 2nd Edition is the new edition of the extremely successful book published in 1998. With the volume of literature on dendritic cells doubling every year, it is almost impossible to keep up. This book provides the most up-to-date synthesis of the literature, written by the very best authors. It is essential reading for any scientist working in immunology, cell biology, infectious diseases, cancer, transplantation, genetic engineering, or the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry.
* An entirely new section on DC biology is included in this edition. Also new to this edition are chapters on:
* Imaging
* Interaction of dendritic cells with viruses
* Dendritic cells and dendrikines, chemokines and the endothelium
* Molecules expressed in dendritic cells
* Role of dendritic cells in wound healing and atherosclerosis
* Delivery of apoptotic bodies
* Genetic engineering of dendritic cells
* Imaging
* Practical aspects of clinical protocol development