Endothelial cell biology has developed into a vibrant discipline and has become a critical instrument to study several disease processes on the cellular and molecular level. It is now widely recognized that dysfunctions of normal endothelial cell homeostasis are involved in some of the most important human diseases, including ischemic heart diseases, hypertension, atherosclerosis, tumors, diabetes, arthritis, and inflammation. Further, the increasing importance and recognition of the field of vascular biology in general requires in vitro and in vivo techniques in order to address the complex questions. Methods in Endothelial Cell Biology is a comprehensive practical "how-to"-guide summarizing the most relevant established techniques as well as a number of new emerging techniques. Easy-to-follow reliable protocols provide a useful lab bench resource for the experienced researcher and newcomer to the field.

Offering a broad appeal to microbiologists, immunologists, and infectious disease specialists, this four volume encyclopedia covers all autoimmune, tropical, and infectious diseases. Emphasis will also be placed on genetics, physiology, metabolism, pathogenesis and applied microbiology. Under the leadership of some of the most world renowned names in the field, the encyclopedia will bring together an outstanding collection of contributions by top scientists in a variety of fields. Volumes 1-3: Diseases will be divided by the 11 main sections of the body, namely Integumentary, Skeletal, Respiratory, Digestive, Urinary, and Reproductive. For some of the autoimmune disease, more then one system will be involved but the delineation serves to broadly break down the diseases into systems. Volume 4 will cover the vaccines for said diseases and future prospects will be offered by leaders in industry and academia. Volume 4 will also be broken down into all the body systems, as in the other two volumes. For each vaccine, for each disease, and in each system the following will be included: • A list of the vaccines currently available along with a list of the companies that manufacture them • Molecular Immunology of the Vaccine • Type of Immunity involved in protection • Mode of Vaccination for each vaccine; repeated boosters and length of immunological memory • Commercial production of vaccines • Storage of vaccines • Standardization and Control of Vaccines • WHO programs and World-Wide Disease Eradication Programs based upon Vaccines.

This book describes the methods of analysis and determination of oxidants and oxidative stress in biological systems. Reviews and protocols on select methods of analysis of ROS, RNS, oxygen, redox status, and oxidative stress in biological systems are described in detail. It is an essential resource for both novices and experts in the field of oxidant and oxidative stress biology.

This reference is a volume in the Handbook of Physiology, co-published with The American Physiological Society. Growth in knowledge about the microcirculation has been explosive with the field becoming fragmented into numerous subdisciplines and subspecialties. This volume pulls all of the critical information into one volume. - Meticulously edited and reviewed. Benefit: Provides investigators a unique tool to explore the significance of their findings in the context of other aspects of the microcirculation. In this way, the updated edition has a direct role in helping to develop new pathways of research and scholarship - Highlights the explosive growth in knowledge about the microcirculation including the biology of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), endothelial cell signaling, angiogenesis, cell adhesion molecules, lymphocyte trafficking, ion channels and receptors, and propagated vasomotor responses. Benefit: Microcirculatory biology has become fragmented into numerous sub-disciplines and subspecialties, and these reference reintegrates the information in one volume

Places the discovery of the key role of cardiac endothelial cells in the control and modulation of heart performance in historical perspective, emphasizing the contributions of numerous investigators since 1986. Summarizes the major morphological, embryological, and comparative physiological features of the cells, and details the two main hypotheses for understanding the underlying mechanisms of the interaction between cardiac endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. Includes bandw photos. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The endothelium, a monolayer of endothelial cells, constitutes the inner cellular lining of the blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) and the lymphatic system, and therefore is in direct contact with the blood/lymph and the circulating cells. The endothelium is a major player in the control of blood fluidity, platelet aggregation and vascular tone, a major actor in the regulation of immunology, inflammation and angiogenesis, and an important metabolizing and an endocrine organ. Endothelial cells controls vascular tone, and thereby blood flow, by synthesizing and releasing relaxing and contracting factors such as nitric oxide, metabolites of arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and cytochrome P450 pathways, various peptides (endothelin, urotensin, CNP, adrenomedullin, etc.), adenosine, purines, reactive oxygen species and so on. Additionally, endothelial ectoenzymes are required steps in the generation of vasoactive hormones such as angiotensin II. An endothelial dysfunction linked to an imbalance in the synthesis and/or the release of these various endothelial factors may explain the initiation of cardiovascular pathologies (from hypertension to atherosclerosis) or their development and perpetuation. Table of Contents: Introduction / Multiple Functions of the Endothelial Cells / Calcium Signaling in Vascular Cells and Cell-to-Cell Communications / Endothelium-Dependent Regulation of Vascular Tone / Conclusion / References

This book covers basic research topics such as the structure-function relationships of neuropilins and mechanisms of neuropilin-mediated signal transduction, details the most important roles of the neuropilins in developmental biology, and addresses their roles in various conditions such as cancer and various eye diseases. The two neuropilin genes encode scaffold receptors that can bind several different ligands, and also associate with many other receptors and modify their activity. Further, it has been confirmed that they play important roles in the shaping of major organs and tissues such as the nervous system and the vascular system, and that they can modulate immune responses. The book offers a helpful guide for biomedical researchers and all scientists active in the neurosciences, vascular and molecular biology, as well as developmental biology and immunology.

The microcirculation is highly responsive to, and a vital participant in, the inflammatory response. All segments of the microvasculature (arterioles, capillaries, and venules) exhibit characteristic phenotypic changes during inflammation that appear to be directed toward enhancing the delivery of inflammatory cells to the injured/infected tissue, isolating the region from healthy tissue and the systemic circulation, and setting the stage for tissue repair and regeneration. The best characterized responses of the microcirculation to inflammation include impaired vasomotor function, reduced capillary perfusion, adhesion of leukocytes and platelets, activation of the coagulation cascade, and enhanced thrombosis, increased vascular permeability, and an increase in the rate of proliferation of blood and lymphatic vessels. A variety of cells that normally circulate in blood (leukocytes, platelets) or reside within the vessel wall (endothelial cells, pericytes) or in the perivascular space (mast cells, macrophages) are activated in response to inflammation. The activation products and chemical mediators released from these cells act through different well-characterized signaling pathways to induce the phenotypic changes in microvessel function that accompany inflammation. Drugs that target a specific microvascular response to inflammation, such as leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion or angiogenesis, have shown promise in both the preclinical and clinical studies of inflammatory disease. Future research efforts in this area will likely identify new avenues for therapeutic intervention in inflammation. Table of Contents: Introduction / Historical Perspectives / Anatomical Considerations / Impaired Vasomotor Responses / Capillary Perfusion / Angiogenesis / Leukocyte-Endothelial Cell Adhesion / Platelet-Vessel Wall Interactions / Coagulation and Thrombosis / Endothelial Barrier Dysfunction / Epilogue / References

The objective of the program committee of the Fifth International Symposium on Atherosclerosis was to bring together experts in many disciplines to broaden the scope of the attack on this disease and to foster interaction. Our hope was that such interaction would accelerate the eradication of the disease. The symposium achieved that objective and con tinued the tradition of the previous symposia in providing a forum for summaries of recent research developments in the study, treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. The leading authorities and researchers in this field and in the related areas of interest have presented the newest information, concepts and ideas that have evolved in the past three years since the previous meeting in Tokyo. The most promising fields for future investigation are clearly identified, as are the nature of the controversies that persist in some highly important aspects of treatment of this disease. The appearance of these proceedings so soon after the meeting will greatly enhance the impact of the symposium on current research in atherosclerosis. The program committee is particularly indebted to the excellent response of the inves tigators for their willingness to participate in the symposium and for their successful efforts in bringing high quality to their presentations. Their cooperation in the expeditious delivery of manuscripts for this volume has been particularly gratifying. The efforts of Ms. Barbara Allen in preparing this volume bear special note.