Bücher der Reihe Progress in Inflammation Research

It addresses different therapeutic intervention possibilities for new drugs, such as the cellular source of cytokines, specific receptors which induce cytokine synthesis, intracellular regulators of cytokine gene induction and expression, secretion and activation of cytokines, cytokine receptors and signalling pathways from these receptors.

Dalip J. S. Sirinathsinghii and Ray G. Hill Merck, Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, Neuroscience Research Centre, Terlings Park, Eastwick Road, Harlow, Essex CM20 2QR, UK There remains a distinct medical need for new pain therapies. Therefore, it is not surprising that in recent years there has been a major research initiative in both aca­ demic and pharmaceutical laboratories to identify novel pain targets and to devel­ op novel analgesic drugs. It is clear from numerous studies that the NMDA recep­ tor plays a major role in the transmission ofnociceptive information and it has been a subject of extensive investigation over the last decade exploiting the advances of molecular pharmacology and molecular neuroanatomy. As a consequence there has been a rational approach by several laboratories to develop receptor subtype-spe­ cific NMDA antagonists in order to avoid the wide range of side-effects seen with non-selective NMDA ion channel antagonists such as ketamine. This volume brings together contributions from experts in various technological disciplines who have contributed immensely to NMDA receptor research and advanced our understanding of the subunit composition of the NMDA receptor complex, its pharmacology and distribution, its interaction with other neurochemi­ cal systems and the effects on behaviour of NMDA antagonists in rodent models and in the clinic. In consideration of these advances and the prospects of novel NMDA receptor antagonists in the near future for the treatment of pain, this vol­ ume is very timely.

Allergic diseases are complex and involve a range of environmental factors interacting with a susceptible genotype.

Heat shock proteins (HSP) have received ample interest by immunologists over recent years. Since then, the raised presence of immunity to HSPs in virtually all conditions of inflammation, including autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection and atherosclerosis, has emphasised the critical significance of immunity to HSPs in inflammatory diseases.

The knowledge of Th17 cells and other cell populations which secrete IL-17A, and/or IL-22 has expanded tremendously since the publication of the first edition "Th17 Cells: Role in Inflammation and Autoimmune Disease" in 2008.

Fatty acids play an important role in the barrier function of skin and represent a major source of proinflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes and other lipids in inflammatory skin disorders.

Pain and inflammation are inextricably linked phenomena. The observation that chemical mediators with combined pro-inflammatory, algesic and/or hyperalgesic activity occur at the site of inflammation is fundamental not only to our present understanding of the inflammatory process but also to our attempts to devise clini­ cally useful anti-inflammatory therapies. Over a hundred years ago it was recognised that primary sensory neurones play a crucially important "dual" role in inflammation. By affecting the transfer of infor­ mation from peripheral nociceptors to the spinal cord, a subpopulation of sensory nerves {"pain fibres"} initiate algesia and hyperalgesia, whose sensations are then modified and fine-tuned in the central nervous system. Equally important is the release from the peripheral terminals of sensory neurones of neuropeptides, the acute effects of which are observed as changes in microvascular tone and perme­ ability leading to neurogenic inflammation. Over the last decade it has become increasingly clear that this view of the func­ tion of sensory nerves is somewhat over-simplified. For example, the mechanisms underlying hyperalgesia may, in certain circumstances, be mimicked in other condi­ tions such as the hypersensivity associated with asthma. Furthermore, it has become increasingly evident that over a longer time period the release of neuropeptides from peripheral sensory nerve endings may also have modulating effects on inmune cells and that this may be relevant to chronic inflammatory disease and possibly also to inflammatory hyperalgesia.

For some years, international guidelines on the management of asthma have stressed the importance of early intervention with anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent acute asthma exacerbations and to avert chronic inflammatory damage to the airway.

These chapters provide a unique vantage point from which to examine this question, as the summarized work ranges from evolutionary approaches across diverse species, to the basics of the immune response, to the effect of cytokines on peripheral and central nervous system sites, to therapeutic potential in humans.

This volume will be of great value to all those researchers in the area of the inflam matory response, notably academics, clinicians and members of the pharmaceutical industry.

Many new antileukotriene drugs are now marketed as antiasthma drugs and represent the first new drugs in this field since the 1970s.

Further chapters discuss the role of antimicrobial peptides in disease, by providing an overview of mechanisms in bacterial resistance to antimicrobial peptides and a discussion of their role in inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Proteases are everywhere from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, from virus to bacteria and in all human tissues, playing a role in many biological functions. This volume presents the advances in our knowledge of the role proteases and their inhibitors play in various diseases associated with inflammatory response.

The inflammasome was first described in 2002 as a molecular complex activating proinflammatory caspases and therefore regulating the maturation and biological activities of cytokines such as IL-1 and IL-18.

There is now considerable preclinical evidence that glutamate acting via the NMDA receptor is involved in the transmission of nociceptive information and in the triggering mechanisms for hyperalgesia and allodynia. This book gives information on molecular biology, physiology and pharmacology of NMDA receptors.

Airways inflammation is a complex biological phenomenon resulting from the recruitment and activation of numerous cell types. This book provides a collection of valuable reviews on the major inflammatory cells involved in airways disease and examines the pharmacology of current anti-inflammatory drugs used in the treatment of airways disease.

Heat shock proteins (HSP) have received ample interest by immunologists over recent years. Since then, the raised presence of immunity to HSPs in virtually all conditions of inflammation, including autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection and atherosclerosis, has emphasised the critical significance of immunity to HSPs in inflammatory diseases.

Especially the past two decades have seen renewed interest in the vasculitides. Drawing from their work in rheumatology, nephrology, internal medicine, connective tissue disease and clinical immunology, they present new concepts in classificiation, diagnosis and pathophysiology of the vasculitides.

Discusses the potential involvement of neurogenic inflammation in the pathogenesis of the migraine headache and the inhibition of this mechanism as a possible mode of action of anti migraine medications. This book also addresses the impact of migraine on a personal and societal level, the presentation, pathogenesis, and treatment of migraine.

The book serves as a comprehensive resource for scientists and clinicians studying the role of non-coding RNAs in inflammation (viral infections, wound inflammation), human inflammatory diseases (i.e.

In Vivo Models of Inflammation (Vol. 2) provides biomedical researchers in both the pharmaceutical industry and academia with a description of the state-of-the-art animal model systems used to emulate diseases with components of inflammation.

Since the discovery of the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) more than 15 years ago, there has been an unpredicted explosion of both basic scientific discoveries and clinical reports on their use from institutions all over the world.

The purpose of this volume in the Progress in Inflammation Research series is to provide the biomedical and clinical researcher with a state-of-the-art insight in the role of cytokines in joint inflammation and joint destruction.

Such coverage, as presented in this volume, may help further understanding and bring new approaches to therapeutics.The first section of the book discusses inflammatory mechanisms, studied in cellular and animal studies.

Gene therapy for inflammatory diseases is a new , burgeoning field of medicine. As an up-to-date, timely book written by the leaders in the field, this volume will appeal to both medical and graduate students, medical reseachers, members of the biotechnology community, physicians and all those interested in this latest frontier of molecular medicine.

Combinatorial chemistry in conjunction with High Throughput Screening (HTS) is revolutionizing the drug discovery process.

Completing the PIR series, this volume summarizes the major advances made in the local and systemic use of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). biological actions of BMPs in bone, cartilage, and teeth; and the potential systemic use of BMPs for tissues beyond bone.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ranges amongst the commonest diseases in the world. The relentless progression of the disease causes a pressing need for a better understanding of and therapies for COPD. This volume provides state-of-the-art information on the pathophysiology of COPD including an outlook on new therapies.

Focuses on the field of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), from the basic science to potential and approved clinical applications. This work presents reviews on a range of scientific topics, including biochemistry, biology, molecular biology and preclinical animal studies on spinal fusion, craniofacial and dental reconstruction using BMPs.

Allergic diseases are complex and involve a range of environmental factors interacting with a susceptible genotype.