Cytokines are pleiotropic regulatory proteins involved in essentially all biological processes and associated with a wide variety of diseases, including inflammatory disorders as well as many types of cancer and leukemia. Knowledge about the quantitative and qualitative nature of cytokine production is critical in the understanding of normal and pathological processes. The cytokine detection in biological and clinical samples faces many challenges including their low abundance, the need to distinguish between active and latent cytokine forms, and the need to measure multiple cytokines in a single assay. This volume will provide a comprehensive collection of classic and cutting-edge methodologies that are currently used to analyze and quantify cytokines and their biological activities in complex biological and clinical samples. The chapters are divided into four main categories. The first group focuses on the immunodetection of released cytokines in tissue culture supernatants, plasma, serum and whole blood samples by immunoassays. These immunoassays measure the total concentrations of released cytokines regardless of their biological activity and include ELISA, flow cytometry, ELISPOT and the antibody-based proximity ligation. The second group will focus on the analysis of biologically active cytokines by bioassays using neutralizing antibodies, chemotaxis assay, cytokine-induced cell degranulation assay, cell proliferation and differentiation, cytokine-induced cytokine production and the radioreceptor cytokine assay. The third group focuses on the analysis of intracellular cytokines by flow cytometry, western blotting and fluorescence and confocal microscopy. In addition, this category includes protocols for quantitative analysis of cytokine gene expression by real time RT-PCR and analysis of the cytokine promoter occupancy by chromatin immunoprecipitation. The fourth group focuses on the recently developed multiplex arrays that can measure multiple cytokines in the same sample at the same time. This group includes quantification of multiple cytokines using cytometric bead arrays, ELISPOT assays, proteomics cytokine evaluation, multiplexed proximity ligation assays for high-throughput cytokine analysis and finally, cytokine gene expression analysis by gene arrays. The protocols will be written by experienced basic and clinical researchers with hands-on knowledge of the described protocols. By covering a broad variety of methods used in cytokine detection and analysis, this book will be of interest not only to biochemists, molecular biologists and immunologists but also to physician-scientists working in the field of cytokine research.

Cytokine Cellular Biology focuses on cell biology techniques for studying cytokines, cytokine receptors, and cytokine driven processes. Assays for human B cell responses, leucocyte migration, haematopoietic growth factors, macrophage activation by cytokines, RIA, IRMA, and ELISA assays, and quantitative biological assays for cytokines are all covered in detail. There are also updated chapters on studying cytokine regulation of endothelial cells; the measurement of proliferative, cytostatic, and cytolytic activity of cytokines; and the development of antibodies to cytokines. In addition there is a new chapter on the use of flow ctyometry and intracellular fluorescent staining. Written by experts in the field, Cytokine Molecular Biology and Cytokine Cellular Biology form a comprehensive and essential guide to cytokine research.

Every aspect of immune function and host defense is dependent upon a proper supply and balance of nutrients. Severe malnutrition can cause significant alteration in immune response, but even subclinical deficits may be associated with an impaired immune response, and an increased risk of infection. Infectious diseases have accounted for more off-duty days during major wars than combat wounds or nonbattle injuries. Combined stressors may reduce the normal ability of soldiers to resist pathogens, increase their susceptibility to biological warfare agents, and reduce the effectiveness of vaccines intended to protect them. There is also a concern with the inappropriate use of dietary supplements. This book, one of a series, examines the impact of various types of stressors and the role of specific dietary nutrients in maintaining immune function of military personnel in the field. It reviews the impact of compromised nutrition status on immune function; the interaction of health, exercise, and stress (both physical and psychological) in immune function; and the role of nutritional supplements and newer biotechnology methods reported to enhance immune function. The first part of the book contains the committee's workshop summary and evaluation of ongoing research by Army scientists on immune status in special forces troops, responses to the Army's questions, conclusions, and recommendations. The rest of the book contains papers contributed by workshop speakers, grouped under such broad topics as an introduction to what is known about immune function, the assessment of immune function, the effect of nutrition, and the relation between the many and varied stresses encountered by military personnel and their effect on health.

The fourth edition of The Cytokine Handbook provides an encyclopedic coverage of the molecules that induce and regulate immune responses. Now expanded to two volumes, co-edited by Michael T Lotze, and written by over 120 international experts, the scope of the book has been broadened to include a major emphasis on the clinical applications of cytokines. The early chapters discuss individual cytokines, chemokines and receptors. Additional chapters discuss the clinical implications and applications of cytokines, including cytokine gene transfer, antisense therapy and assay systems. This book is essential for researchers and clinicians interested in cytokines, including anyone working in cancer biology, transplantation, infectious diseases, autoimmunity or bioinformatics.Key Features* Covers all main cytokines and chemokines * Written by experts* Up-to-date- includes detailed referencing accessing current, modern literature and reflects the newest findings from the human genome * The new edition has been thoroughly revised and extended (now 2 volumes) as compared to the last edition, including new co-editor (MTL), new authors, new hot topics and new chapters* Includes major emphasis on clinical applications* Extensively illustrated with tables and figures

Cytokines and growth factors have vast therapeutic potentials for a wide range of diseases. Many have been cloned and produced, using recombinant DNA technology, by the biopharmaceutical industry. Of these, several have proved to be extremely successful biological medicines with increasing numbers undergoing clinical trials. One aspect of the successful development of these proteins as therapeutics is assuring quality control. This can mainly be achieved through thorough characterization of the product, both biologically and physico-chemically. In this book, leading scientists from industry, research and regulatory agencies present papers on the various methods currently available for analyzing cytokines and growth factors, including novel, developing technology. A particular focus on bioassays provides a unique and comprehensive coverage of their relevance, design, execution and analysis during product development and manufacture. This volume should be read by all those working on protein therapeutics, as many of the principles described generally apply to any biological product. Scientists working in industry and regulatory authorities will find it a useful reference for drug development and licensing.

The field of cytokine research is expanding at a rapid pace Contributions from the major leading groups in the world on the structure and biological properties of cytokine and cytokine receptors, as well as integrated reviews on cytokines in various physiological and pathological conditions were presented in three issues of International Reviews of Immunology This collection of articles provided a unique source of information However, important discoveries are emerging very rapidly and some of the reviews written in 1997 are already outdated In this book, the editors assemble reviews that have been updated by their authors to include all the recent publications and unpublished data from the authors' laboratories This volume should serve as an excellent reference source for all those concerned by the multiple faces of cytokines in basic research and in the clinic

A collection of biochemical, cellular, and molecular techniques for unraveling and quantifying the events occurring between the initial contact of a cytokine at the membrane receptor and the eventual activation of gene transcription. The techniques used include the generation of transfectants, the immunohistochemical detection of cytokines in tissue sections, and optimized staining for cytoplasmic detection. Highlights include RT-PCR of small amounts of mRNA, in situ hybridization, biosensor analysis, measurement of biological activities and standardization, immunohistochemical and single-cell detection, and receptor isolation, characterization, and crystallization. Enjoy a quick and smooth introduction to the key methods used in cytokine research Use readily reproducible techniques that ensure successful experimental results Employ antisense-RNA, RT-PCR of small amounts of mRNA, and in situ hybridization.

Compiling an up-to-date and detailed survey of the role cytokines play in cell-to-cell communication, development, and differentiation, this comprehensive reference highlights the medical advantages of cytokine inhibition and pursues novel methods of discovery for more potent and specific blocking agents. Investigates the pathogenic role of

The driving force for research on cytokines has always been their clinical promise. Their biological properties suggested a key role in hematopoiesis, immunity, tumor genesis, hemostasis, vascularization, repair of connective tissues and integration of the immune system with the neuroendocrine system. Animal studies have shown that cytokines could be used as effective biotherapeutics with easily manageable and reversible toxicities. Clinical trials have confirmed these findings, culminating in the licensing of a number of the cytokines such as interferon alpha, interferon gamma, interleukin 2, erythropoietin, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor. Many other cytokines are in clinical trials. This is the first comprehensive volume on the cytokines written primarily from a medical perspective. After presenting background information about the structure, production, assays and systemic effects of cytokines and their receptors, it is organized around diseases and organ systems. Infectious diseases, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency states, defective hematopoiesis, allergies, injury repair, cancer, vascular and skin diseases, and neurological disorders are all covered. This work reviews the role that cytokines play in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of each disease. The authors assess both the current state of the art and the potential for future applications.

This work offers comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of cytokine biology in veterinary and agricultural species, describing the role of cytokines in physiological and pathological processes. It addresses recent advances and new information on the function of cytokines in reproduction, detoxification of xenobiotics, growth modulation and other areas, and discusses the approaches to and pitfalls of studying cytokines in animals.