Therapeutic Modulation of Cytokines

Cytokines are peptide or protein cell-to-cell signaling molecules that play vital roles in normal cell and tissue homeostasis, as well as in responses to infectious agents. Because of their importance in virtually all forms of pathology, the pharmaceutical industry is devoting great effort to develop methods for the control of cytokine synthesis or action. This is the first volume to bring together experts from academia and the pharmaceutical industry to discuss problems and solutions in the therapeutic control of cytokines. An introductory section reviews the biology, physiology, and pathology of cytokines. Internationally recognized scientists then discuss the development of low molecular mass inhibitors, including inhibitors of cytokine convertases and oligonucleotide drugs. The potential use of natural inhibitors such as soluble receptors, interleukin-1 receptor antagonists, and anti-cytokine antibodies is detailed. This interesting book also covers intracellular signaling pathways induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines and the bio-modulatory activity of specific cytokines such as TGF-ß. Therapeutic Modulation of Cytokines will interest academic scientists in biochemistry, cell biology, pharmacology, and molecular biology and biological scientists in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries.