Immunopharmacology Of Platelets

Platelets have long been the subject of much investigation in the areas of vascular physiology, biochemistry, immunology and physiopathology. Their ability to react to environmental stimuli, to modify their shape and metabolism despite being anuclear, has fascinated scientists. This volume looks specifically at the involvement of blood platelets outside their 'classical' field of application, in the physiopathological mechanics of allergy and inflammation. The coverage includes the role of platelets in bacterial, parasitic and viral diseases and in tumour cell interactions.

Platelets have long been the subject of much investigation in the areas of vascular physiology, biochemistry, immunology and physiopathology. Their ability to react to environmental stimuli, to modify their shape and metabolism despite being anuclear, has fascinated scientists. This volume looks specifically at the involvement of blood platelets outside their 'classical' field of application, in the physiopathological mechanics of allergy and inflammation. The coverage includes the role of platelets in bacterial, parasitic and viral diseases and in tumour cell interactions.

This book reviews current science and applications in fields including thrombosis and hemostasis, signal transduction, and non-thrombotic conditions such as inflammation, allergy and tumor metastasis. It is a detailed, up-to-date, highly referenced text for clinical scientists and physicians, including recent developments in this rapidly expanding field. More than a scientific resource, this is also an authoritative reference and guide to the diagnosis.

Platelets, Fourth Edition, integrates the entire field of platelet biology, pathophysiology, and clinical medicine with contributions from 142 world experts from 18 countries. This award-winning reference provides clear presentations by basic scientists on the cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms of platelets and the role of platelets in thrombosis, hemorrhage, inflammation, antimicrobial host defense, wound healing, angiogenesis and cancer. It also provides start-of-the-art presentations by hematologists, cardiologists, stroke physicians, blood bankers, pathologists and other clinicians on platelet function testing, disorders of platelet numbers and function, antiplatelet therapy and therapy to increase platelet numbers and/or function. Since the publication of the Third Edition of Platelets, there has been a rapid expansion of knowledge in both basic biology of platelets and the clinical approach to platelet-related diseases. This Fourth Edition of Platelets draws all this information into a single, comprehensive and authoritative resource. Comprehensive and definitive source of state-of-the-art knowledge about platelets Integrates the entire field of platelet biology, pathophysiology, and clinical medicine Written for clinicians, pathologists and scientists by 142 world-renowned experts from 18 countries Completely revised and updated, with 11 new chapters on topics such as platelet glycobiology, the platelet transcriptome, platelet inhibitory receptors, platelet function testing in clinical research trials, therapeutic platelet-rich plasma in wound healing, and new antiplatelet drugs Full color textbook with over 250 illustrations and 15,000 references

Non-selective inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE), such as theophylline, have been used extensively since 1958. In the decade of the '70s, various PDE isoenzymes were defined which led to the development of the second generation of PDE inhibitors. Currently a variety of these new inhibitors are under test as potential anti-inflammatory drugs. During the past five years, molecular biology has revealed a superfamily of these phosphodiesterase isoenzymes. This book summarizes the present state of knowledge, as well as giving a comprehensive description of the compounds available. It will be invaluable for everyone who wants to choose the most suitable PDE inhibitor for their research or who is dealing with such drugs in a clinical setting. Utilizes actual testing and research of new PDE inhibitors Valuable for researchers and students alike

Bradykinin is a type of plasma hormone that causes blood vessels to dilate, resulting in a drop in blood pressure, the contraction of muscles in the lungs, intestines, and uterus, and pain. The Kinin System reviews the molecular biology of the kinins through their roles in a complex array of inflammatory conditions such as asthma, GI disease, cardiovascular complaints and examines the future therapeutic opportunities. From the prepublication reviews: "A delicious masterpiece." --Chef's DigestThe Kinin System is a comprehensive, timely book covering all aspects of the kinin system from its disocvery to the pathophysiology, pharmacology, and molecular biology of the mechanisms regulating kinin production to kinin receptors in health and disease. The authors take a refreshingly different view of the kinin system than previous books on the subject. Several chapters contain new information on the gene expression, regulation, and cell surface presentation of kininogens and kallikreins, as well as new data, some of it from human studies, on the role of kinins in pain angiogenesis, tissue repair, sepsis, arthritis, asthma, allergic rhinits, myocardial ischemia, and other diseases. * * Offers new information on kinin reception, regulation of gene expression of receptors, and kinin-generating proteins. * Provides a distinctly immunopharmacological approach to the kinin system. * Reviews of the role of kinins in disease and inlcudes data from human studies. * Includes information that is fully up-to-date and comprehensive.

The Handbook of Immunopharmacology: Lipid Mediators covers a comprehensive overview of lipid mediators, from synthesis through to inhibition. The book discusses the metabolism of arachidonic acid; the measurement of fatty acids and their metabolites; and the biological properties of cyclooxygenase products. The text also describes other essential fatty acids, their metabolites and cell-cell interactions; the inhibitors of fatty acid-derived mediators; as well as the biosynthesis and catabolism of platelet-activating factor. The cellular sources of platelet-activating factor and related lipids; the biological properties of platelet-activating factor; and the effects of platelet-activating factor receptor antagonists are also considered. Immunopharmacologists, immunologists, and pharmacologists will find the book invaluable.

The leading reference on this topic of increasing medical relevance is unique in offering unparalleled coverage. The editors are among the most respected researchers in inflammation worldwide and here have put together a prestigious team of contributors. Starting with the molecular basis of inflammation, from cytokines via the innate immune system to the different kinds of inflammatory cells, they continue with the function of inflammation in infectious disease before devoting a large section to the relationship between inflammation and chronic diseases. The book concludes with wound and tissue healing and options for therapeutic interventions. A must have for clinicians and biomedical researchers alike.