Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-? is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in a va- ety of physiological and pathological processes. After initial discovery of its ability to induce cell death and animal cachexia, it was soon realized that this cytokine played pivotal roles in the regulation of homeostasis and inflam- tory-immune responses. This led to an explosion of interest in basic and tra- lational research activities on the role of TNF in many diseases, such as cancer, septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, and infectious diseases of the central n- vous system. Because of its potential therapeutic value, many academic and industrial research groups have worked to discover compounds that can block its activity. These studies have led to the approval of anti-TNF antibodies and soluble TNF receptors for the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's d- ease. TNF also can be an attractive anticancer agent capable of damaging tum- associated vessels and of inducing tumor necrosis in patients. The unique properties of TNF have led to its registration as a drug for locoregional tre- ment of sarcomas of the extremities, and stimulated many preclinical studies aimed at improving its therapeutic index for systemic use. Tumor Necrosis Factor: Methods and Protocols provides an overview of basic and translational research along with a series of practical procedures on TNF production, characterization, mutagenesis, detection in biological spe- mens, as well as several in vitro assays and animal models for studying the role of TNF in various diseases.

While many cytokines are known for their inflammatory action, there is a growing interest in the tissue-protective effects of some cytokines. The prototypic tissue-protective cytokine is EPO. Initially described as neuro-protective, it is beneficial in animal models of ischemic and other types of injury. Scientists had to overcome the notion that EPO had only erythropoietic actions, was only produced by the kidney, and that its receptor was only present in erythroid progenitor cells. The use of in vitro and in vivo disease models was essential to demonstrate the protective effects of EPO. Reproducible models will be needed for the further study of the mechanism of action of EPO and for the identification of other tissue-protective cytokines. In Tissue-Protective Cytokines: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field detail the key models that have been used to characterize the tissue-protective actions of cytokines. 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, provide step-by-step laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Thorough and intuitive, Tissue Protective Cytokines: Methods and Protocols aids scientists in continuing to study tissue-protection that will be a new field of interest of cytokine biology, both in discovering novel actions of known cytokines and in developing new drugs.

Cytokines are polypeptide mediators which act as communication signals among cells of the immune system as well as among other cells and tissues in the body. They are a heterogeneous and complex group and include interferons, tumor necrosis factor and chemokines. They play a key role in homeostasis and in host defense and are involved in such inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis as well as infectious diseases such as HIV infection and spetic shock. Modulation of the production and action of cytokines, as well as their exploitation of therapeutic agents has been the object of intense and competitive research. This book overviews the field of cytokine research and describes the various approaches that have been taken to develop the pharmacology of these novel mediators. The pharmacology of cytokines is an exploding area which is entering the clinical arena. The book in the framework of the immunobiology of cytokines, examines the interactions with the cytokine system of a variety of compounds ranging from simple synthetic chemicals to biotechnological products. In addition to examining individual agents and approaches, the book examines the pathophysiology of individual body systems and analyzes specific contexts for the pathophysiology of individual body systems and analyzes specific contexts for the pathophysiology of these mediators as well as pharmacological approaches for their control.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-? is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in a va- ety of physiological and pathological processes. After initial discovery of its ability to induce cell death and animal cachexia, it was soon realized that this cytokine played pivotal roles in the regulation of homeostasis and inflam- tory-immune responses. This led to an explosion of interest in basic and tra- lational research activities on the role of TNF in many diseases, such as cancer, septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, and infectious diseases of the central n- vous system. Because of its potential therapeutic value, many academic and industrial research groups have worked to discover compounds that can block its activity. These studies have led to the approval of anti-TNF antibodies and soluble TNF receptors for the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's d- ease. TNF also can be an attractive anticancer agent capable of damaging tum- associated vessels and of inducing tumor necrosis in patients. The unique properties of TNF have led to its registration as a drug for locoregional tre- ment of sarcomas of the extremities, and stimulated many preclinical studies aimed at improving its therapeutic index for systemic use. Tumor Necrosis Factor: Methods and Protocols provides an overview of basic and translational research along with a series of practical procedures on TNF production, characterization, mutagenesis, detection in biological spe- mens, as well as several in vitro assays and animal models for studying the role of TNF in various diseases.

While many cytokines are known for their inflammatory action, there is a growing interest in the tissue-protective effects of some cytokines. The prototypic tissue-protective cytokine is EPO. Initially described as neuro-protective, it is beneficial in animal models of ischemic and other types of injury. Scientists had to overcome the notion that EPO had only erythropoietic actions, was only produced by the kidney, and that its receptor was only present in erythroid progenitor cells. The use of in vitro and in vivo disease models was essential to demonstrate the protective effects of EPO. Reproducible models will be needed for the further study of the mechanism of action of EPO and for the identification of other tissue-protective cytokines. In Tissue-Protective Cytokines: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field detail the key models that have been used to characterize the tissue-protective actions of cytokines. 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, provide step-by-step laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Thorough and intuitive, Tissue Protective Cytokines: Methods and Protocols aids scientists in continuing to study tissue-protection that will be a new field of interest of cytokine biology, both in discovering novel actions of known cytokines and in developing new drugs.