Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria And The Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Linked Proteins

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) has been recognized for over a century. This mysterious disease is now understood at the level of the gene and the protein. The pathophysiology is related to a class of cell surface proteins with distinctive biochemical and physical characteristics. Recently it has been acknowledged that PNH is not rare, and once sensitive assays--based on the chemistry of the proteins--can be applied to many patients. Written by international experts in the field, this book includes a number of distinctive characteristics, such as the clinical features of PNH, the mechanism of hemolysis, the biochemistry of glycosylphosphoinositol anchors, and the chemistry and biophysics of GPI-anchored proteins. This unique and timely volume will have a wide audience, including hematologists and oncologists with a clinical interest in this disease, as well as basic biochemists, immunologists, and cell biologists studying this class of proteins. Outlines the chemical features of PNH Explains the mechanism of hemolysis Includes work on the biochemistry of glycophosphoinositol anchors Contains descriptions of the chemistry and biophysics of GPI-anchored proteins

Few publications focus on the mysterious, genetically acquired disease paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and the related "intractable" disorders—aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. Now, however, the latest understanding of the clinical and molecular genetic aspects of PNH is summarized here in the proceedings of the International Symposium held in Tokyo in 2001. Major topics reviewed include the molecular mechanisms of the PIG-A gene mutation; complement activation and inhibitors; experimental animal models; pathogenesis; the history of PNH research; the natural history of the disease; the mechanism of PNH clone expansion; the emergence of PNH clones under bone marrow failure syndromes; and treatment of the disease by immunosuppressive agents and stem cell transplantation. This book provides an invaluable summary of current research on the fundamental aspects of PNH pathology, presented by renowned experts in the field.

This volume reviews the fundamental understanding of this potentially life-threatening disease and the advances in treatment that have been achieved with the use of the monoclonal antibody eculizumab. Although the PIGA gene has been known for many years, the mechanism of clonal dominance in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is still largely unknown. This book, Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, discusses the direction of continuing research in this area, as well as the potential for the development of management guidelines. It serves as a valuable source of information for both basic scientists and physicians, especially immunologists targeting GPI-anchored proteins and complements, and hematologists specializing in bone marrow failure.

Sugar chains (glycans) are often attached to proteins and lipids and have multiple roles in the organization and function of all organisms. "Essentials of Glycobiology" describes their biogenesis and function and offers a useful gateway to the understanding of glycans.

Congenital and Acquired Bone Marrow Failure is a comprehensive guide to congenital and acquired bone marrow failure in adult and pediatric patients. Chapters are divided into two sections, acquired aplastic anemia and inherited bone marrow failure syndromes. Content ranges from the basic, to the translational, and from the epidemiology of acquired aplastic anemia and telomere biology, to the management, treatment, and supportive care of pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients. Contributors are world leading experts in the field of bone marrow failure. The book is required reading for residents, fellows, clinicians, and researchers across hematology, oncology, pathology, bone marrow transplantation, pediatrics, and internal medicine. Provides an overview of all congenital and acquired bone marrow failure syndromes Focuses on the molecular pathogenesis, clinical manifestation and diagnosis, laboratory features, and treatment of each disease within the syndromes Features the area of supportive care which is a topic of great interest to infectious disease physicians and those involved in transfusion services

Comprehensive and up-to-date clinical reference, with an emphasis on treatment.

The third component of complement, C3, is one of the most versatile proteins and an important participant in immune surveillance and immune response pathways. Its multifunctio nality is based on its ability to interact specifically with multiple serum complement proteins, cell surface receptors, and mem brant;-associated regulatory proteins. One of its most intriguing strategies of interaction with cell surfaces is the covalent binding of activated C3 through the internal thioester. The field has expanded over the past 10 years and a wealth of information has accumulated. C3 from various species and many of the human C3 binding proteins have been cloned and expressed. Numerous cellular responses mediated by the diffe rent fragments of C3 have been described. The findings that C3 interacts in a ligand-receptor-like fashion with proteins of nonself origin such as the gC of herpes simplex virus, a 70-kDa protein from Candida albicans, proteins from Epstein-Barr virus, etc. has opened a new field of investigation. The papers assembled in this volume summarize the wealth of data on the various aspects of the C3 interactions; together they bring to the reader new information on the chemistry, molecular gene tics, biology, and pathophysiology of C3 and C3-binding proteins. Emphasis is given to structural features as they relate to functions. Spring 1989 JOHN D. LAMBRIS, HANS J. MULLER-EBERHARD Table of Contents J. E. VOLANAKIS: Participation of C3 and Its Ligands in Complement Activation . . . . . . . . . . . 1 S. R. BARNUM, G. FEY, and B. F. TACK: Biosynthesis and Genetics of C3 . . . . . . . . . . . . .