Buch, Englisch, 128 Seiten, Gewicht: 420 g
Molecular Mechanisms, Apoptosis, and Tolerance Induction. 2nd Teupitzer Colloquium, September 1999. Special Topic Issue: Pathobiology 1999, Vol. 67, No. 5-6
Buch, Englisch, 128 Seiten, Gewicht: 420 g
ISBN: 978-3-8055-7061-9
Verlag: S.Karger
During the last two decades, anti-infammatory mechanisms have moved from a neglected field of immunology to the forefront of inflammation research. Anti-inflammatory mechanisms function in various ways: they protect against unwanted immune reactions and contain inflammatory reactions once these are induced. Finally, they secure downregulation and healing after the succesful elimination of a noxious agent. Specialized, alternatively activated macrophages play a major role in these processes. Alternatively activated macrophages tend toward preferential secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines; are capable of removing apoptotic cells and tissue debris without inflammation; and can - along with deactivated immature dendritic cells - deliver tolerance signals to T-cells. Thus, anti-inflammatory macrophages are attractive candidates for a cell-based vaccination therapy of allergic and autoimmune diseases. Further, the molecular repertoire of alternatively activated antigen-presenting cells may be used to develop new drugs for inflammatory disease therapy. The present volume brings together the latest findings of researchers and clinicians world-wide in the area of anti-inflammatory macrophage and dendritic cell biology. Mechanisms of antigen-presenting cell-dependent anti-inflamatory reactions, in conjunction with immunotolerance and healing are discussed. The aim is to present the newest and most relevant developments in deciphering and making therapeutic use of these mechanisms. The book introduces the emerging concept of an alternative activation pathway of antigen-presenting cells that parallels the Th1/Th2 dichotomy.
