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Overview
Cytokines are soluble mediators of intercellular communication. They contribute to a chemical signalling language that regulates development, tissue repair, haemopoiesis, inflammation and the immune response. Potent cytokine polypepides have pleiotropic activities and functional redundancy. They act in a complex network where one cytokine can influence the production of, and response to, many other cytokines. In the past five years, this bewildering array of more than 100 effector molecules and associated cell surface receptors has been simplified by study of cytokine and cytokine receptor structure; elucidation of convergent intracellular signalling pathways; and molecular genetics, and targeted gene disruption to 'knock-out' production of individual cytokines in mice. It is also now clear that the pathophysiology of infectious, autoimmune and malignant disease can be partially explained by the induction of cytokines and the subsequent cellular response. Viral homologues exist for many cytokines and receptors and genetic variations in cytokine production may influence response to pathogenic stimuli. Cytokine and cytokine antagonists have shown therapeutic potential in a number of chronic and acute diseases. The Cytokine Network: Frontiers in Molecular Biology is not a survey of individual cytokines, but guides the reader through the latest research on the cytokine network as a whole covering genomics, signalling pathways, control of the immune response, and therapeutics.
The book contains black-and-white illustrations.
Synopsis
Cytokines are soluble mediators of intercellular communication. They contribute to a chemical signalling language that regulates development, tissue repair, haemopoiesis, inflammation and the immune response. Potent cytokine polypepides have pleiotropic activities and functional redundancy. They act in a complex network where one cytokine can influence the production of, and response to, many other cytokines. In the past five years, this bewildering array of more than 100 effector molecules and associated cell surface receptors has been simplified by study of cytokine and cytokine receptor structure; elucidation of convergent intracellular signalling pathways; and molecular genetics, and targeted gene disruption to 'knock-out' production of individual cytokines in mice. It is also now clear that the pathophysiology of infectious, autoimmune and malignant disease can be partially explained by the induction of cytokines and the subsequent cellular response. Viral homologues exist for many cytokines and receptors and genetic variations in cytokine production may influence response to pathogenic stimuli. Cytokine and cytokine antagonists have shown therapeutic potential in a number of chronic and acute diseases. The Cytokine Network: Frontiers in Molecular Biology is not a survey of individual cytokines, but guides the reader through the latest research on the cytokine network as a whole covering genomics, signalling pathways, control of the immune response, and therapeutics.
Eugene A. Davidson
Signaling between cells is a critical function in many areas of biology. The agents involved (several hundred), many of which are cytokines, represent a growing class of molecules with multiple bioactivities. This volume contains timely reviews of the current status of the field. The purpose is to provide an overview of the current status of the role of cytokines. This objective is largely met by the editor. This book will be of interest to investigators working in the general areas of signal transduction, immunology, malignant disease, and regulation. In an initial chapter genomic approaches to cytokine identification are described, and material on cytokine signaling and networks follows. The relationship of cytokines to Th1/Th2 cells is discussed which leads to several chapters on cytokine receptors encoded by viruses, therapeutic approaches, and relationships to disease states including malignancy. Each chapter is accompanied by a thorough bibliography of considerable value to those wishing primary sources. Given the large increase in cytokine numbers and the complexities of their interrelationships, this volume fills a useful need.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Eugene A Davidson, PhD(Georgetown University School of Medicine)Description: Signaling between cells is a critical function in many areas of biology. The agents involved (several hundred), many of which are cytokines, represent a growing class of molecules with multiple bioactivities. This volume contains timely reviews of the current status of the field.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide an overview of the current status of the role of cytokines. This objective is largely met by the editor.
Audience: This book will be of interest to investigators working in the general areas of signal transduction, immunology, malignant disease, and regulation.
Features: In an initial chapter genomic approaches to cytokine identification are described, and material on cytokine signaling and networks follows. The relationship of cytokines to Th1/Th2 cells is discussed which leads to several chapters on cytokine receptors encoded by viruses, therapeutic approaches, and relationships to disease states including malignancy. Each chapter is accompanied by a thorough bibliography of considerable value to those wishing primary sources.
Assessment: Given the large increase in cytokine numbers and the complexities of their interrelationships, this volume fills a useful need.
Eugene A. Davidson
Signaling between cells is a critical function in many areas of biology. The agents involved (several hundred), many of which are cytokines, represent a growing class of molecules with multiple bioactivities. This volume contains timely reviews of the current status of the field. The purpose is to provide an overview of the current status of the role of cytokines. This objective is largely met by the editor. This book will be of interest to investigators working in the general areas of signal transduction, immunology, malignant disease, and regulation. In an initial chapter genomic approaches to cytokine identification are described, and material on cytokine signaling and networks follows. The relationship of cytokines to Th1/Th2 cells is discussed which leads to several chapters on cytokine receptors encoded by viruses, therapeutic approaches, and relationships to disease states including malignancy. Each chapter is accompanied by a thorough bibliography of considerable value to those wishing primary sources. Given the large increase in cytokine numbers and the complexities of their interrelationships, this volume fills a useful need.3 Stars from Doody