Charles N. Serhan - Böcker

This volume represents a collection of manuscripts dealing with the roles and actions of lipid mediators and their impact on human physiology and disease pathogenesis. In particular these contributions focus on cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular disease. The most recent advances in the formation and actions of lipid mediators is discussed at the molecular and cellular level. The synthesis of novel inhibitors is discussed relevant to their potential impact on cancer and inflammatory disease therapy. In addition to the "classical" lipid mediators, this volume contains presentations of exciting new developments in anandamides, nitric oxide and isoeicosanoids. The data and concepts presented in this volume should be of interest to both clinicians and basic researchers in the fields of cancer and inflammation.

The acute inflammatory response is the body's first system of alarm signals that are directed toward containment and elimination of microbial invaders. Uncontrolled inflammation has emerged as a pathophysiologic basis for many widely occurring diseases in the general population that were not initially known to be linked to the inflammatory response, including cardiovascular disease, asthma, arthritis, and cancer. To better manage treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of these wide-ranging diseases, multidisciplinary research efforts are underway in both academic and industry settings. This book provides an introduction to the cell types, chemical mediators, and general mechanisms of the host's first response to invasion. World-class experts from institutions around the world have written chapters for this introductory text. The text is presented as an introductory springboard for graduate students, medical scientists, and researchers from other disciplines wishing to gain an appreciation and working knowledge of current cellular and molecular mechanisms fundamental to inflammation.

This collection of cutting-edge reviews of the molecular and cellular bases of inflammatory processes makes an important and timely contribution to the search for new antiinflammatory agents. The book authoritatively reviews the role of protein and lipid mediators in inflammation, cellular processes of importance in the initiation and determination of inflammation, signal transduction events of interest in the development of potential new therapeutic targets, and drug design issues in inflammation therapeutics. In addition, several chapters summarize state-of-the-art findings in disease processes where inflammation plays a critical role. Reflecting the work of leading researchers in molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, and pathobiology, Molecular and Cellular Basis of Inflammation establishes new basic concepts in the elucidation of molecular mechanisms in inflammation.

This volume represents a collection of contributions from the 6th International Conference on Eicosanoids and Other Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation, and Related Diseases held in Boston from September 12-15, 1999. The mission of this meeting was to bring together senior and junior investigators to both announce and examine their recent advancements in cutting-edge research on the roles and actions of lipid mediators and their impact in human physiology and disease pathogenesis. The meeting focused on new concepts in these areas of interest to both clinicians and researchers. The program included several outstanding plenary lectures and presentations by leading experts in the fields of cancer and inflammation. In addition, the Boston meeting presented three Young Investigator awards, one in each of the major focus areas. The meeting was exciting and proved to be very memorable. The program was developed with an emphasis on recent advances in molecular and of lipid mediators relevant in cellular mechanisims involved in the formation and actions inflammation and cancer. Plenary lectures were presented by Prof. Bengt Sammuelsson (Karolinska Institute, Stockholm; 1982 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine) and Prof. E. 1. Corey (Harvard University; 1990 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry). Both of these plenary lectures were held on Day 1, which set an exciting tone for this meeting. Immediately following these plenary lectures, three simultaneous breakout sessions were held, one of inflammation, a second on cancer and synthesis of novel inhibitors, and a third on enzymes-lipoxygenases/cyclooxygenases and inhibitors.

This volume constitutes. in part. the proceedings of the symposium on "Cell-Cell Interaction and Release of Inflammatory Mediators" organized by Drs. Patrick Y-K Wong and Charles N. Serhan and presented at the FASEB meeting in Washington. D.C. in April. 1990. It contains chapters by the symposium speakers as well as contributions from investigators in this field. Readers will find exciting advances in this volume. which contains chapters dedicated to state-of-the-art knowledge in the field of Cell-Cell Interaction and the functions of released mediators in inflammatory diseases. This book includes "cutting edge" investigations on transcellular eicosanoid biosynthesis. cytokines. PAF, and adhesion as well as interactions of inflammatory cells with endothe 1 i um. 1 ung • and kidney. A 1 so. the contro 1 and regu 1 at ion of renal function by lipid mediators generated during cell-cell i nteracti ons between rena 1 mesangi a 1 cells and 1 eukocytes has generated insight into the cell biology and regulatory role of these mediators in the kidney. Moreover. the relationship between these areas is discussed in sequelae of both asthmatic and renal diseases. We hope that some of the enthusiasm and excitement present in this research are also evident here and that this volume will serve as a reference for researchers. teachers. and students to survey thi s rapidly growing field.