Domenico Ribatti – författare

Milestones in Immunology: Based on Collected Papers contains scientific milestones relating to the history of medicine over the past two centuries. The book highlights the contributions of pioneering scientists whose discoveries have paved the way for researchers working in the field of immunology. As the science of immunology grew from knowledge that survivors of common infectious diseases rarely contracted them again, the book uses this as a central thesis, helping readers understand how the adaptive immune system aids in defense against pathogens. In addition, the book covers special fields, such as immunohistochemistry, immunogenetics and immunopathology.

For the past century, immunology has fascinated and inspired some of the greatest scientists of our time. Numerous Nobel Prizes have been awarded for fundamental discoveries in immunology, from Paul Ehrlich' work on antibodies (1908) to the studies of Zinkernagel and Doherty (1986) elucidating mechanisms of cell-mediated immunity.

In Vivo Models to Study Angiogenesis provides the latest information and an overview of the most common assays for studying angiogenesis in vivo. Under physiological conditions, angiogenesis is tightly controlled, whereas increased production of angiogenic stimuli and/or reduced production of angiogenic inhibitors leads to abnormal neovascularization, such as occurs in cancer, chronic inflammatory disease, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and cardiovascular disorders. Several genetic and epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the early development of the vascular system. This book presents the latest information from the extensive literature and research available.

Evidence is now emerging that blood vessels themselves have the ability to provide instructive regulatory signals to surrounding non-vascular target cells during organ development. Thus, endothelial cell signaling is currently believed to promote fundamental cues for cell fate specification, embryo patterning, organ differentiation and postnatal tissue remodeling.

Immunology in the Twentieth Century: From Basic Science to Clinical Application grew out of common knowledge that those who survived many of the common infectious diseases rarely contracted the same disease again. This book charts the historical development of this vital branch of medicine in a concise volume, covering both the basic science involved and the clinical applications. Immunology as a distinctive subject developed in the mid-twentieth century as researchers started to understand how the adaptive immune system aids the defense against pathogens. The subject has grown in importance and diversified into specialist fields, such as immunohistochemistry, immunogenetics and immunopathology.

Tumor Vascularization discusses the different types of growth of tumor blood vessels and their implications on research and healthcare. The book is divided into three parts: the first one, General Mechanisms, discusses different vessel growth mechanisms, such as sprouting angiogenesis, non-angiogenesis dependent growth, intussusceptive microvascular growth, vascular co-option and vasculogenic mimicry. The second and third parts, entitled Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Implications are dedicated to translating recent findings in this field to patient treatment and healthcare. This book is a valuable source for cancer researchers, oncologists, graduate students and members of the biomedical field who are interested in tumor progression and blood vessels.

Tumor Microenvironment Regulation of Tumor Expansion is a practical guide to understand and perform research on tumor microenvironments, and to support related clinical decisions.

Tumor progression is linked to an imbalance between positive and negative regulators, and mainly depends on the release of specific growth factors by inflammatory or neoplastic cells. Inflammatory infiltrate contributes to tumor progression and the metastatic process, and there are many reports of associations between tumor inflammatory infiltrate, progression, and prognosis. Understanding different contexts of organs is a key factor in improving treatment outcome, especially in new therapeutic treatments targeting components of the tumor microenvironment.

This book is a valuable resource for cancer researchers, clinicians, graduate students, and scientists in many biomedical fields who are interested in the complex relationship between the tumor microenvironment and its context in specific organs.

New Insights on the Development of the Vascular System examines the most recent literature and data on the development of the vascular system, along with advice on new laboratory techniques and approaches to data analysis. This volume is a comprehensive handbook to the state-of-the-art in vascular system development. Several genetic and epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the early development of the vascular system, and there is extensive literature on the genetic background and molecular mechanisms responsible for blood vessel formation. Yet new data and techniques have been developed in recent years.

Although scientific literature covers the descriptive aspects of embryonic vascular system development, modern techniques such as the technology of cell fusion, cell sorting and image analysis give new insight into the mechanisms by which vessels form and regress and how blood flow changes directions in the same vessels.

A History of Angiogenesis: Discoveries, Research and the Therapeutic Potential presents a recent history of discoveries in the angiogenic field that contribute to the development of the anatomical knowledge of the process, experimental models, and new pharmacological approaches in different angiogenesis-related diseases. This multifaceted book is enriched with deep scientific contents, and each chapter clearly defines historical steps, the emerging role during the years of new morphological findings, molecular pathways, and targets. Focus is also directed on key challenges associated and future directions.The history of angiogenesis research is an intriguing tool for discovering answers to a wide array of queries arising in the biological and medical world. This comprehensive resource skillfully integrates all the key aspects related to angiogenesis, and will be of immense help to students, researchers, and industry experts who want to explore the last two decades of angiogenesis discoveries and research.

The Evolution of Immunotherapy Against Tumors: An Historical Approach summarizes the literature concerning the development of the theory of immune surveillance against tumors. It discusses the evidence for and against this theory, along with the concept of immunoediting. Finally, current approaches in anti-tumor immunotherapy will be analyzed.The immune system plays a major role in the surveillance against tumors. To avoid attack from the immune system, tumor cells develop different strategies to escape immune surveillance. Evidence of immune surveillance comes from both animal models and clinical observations. Mice with a wide variety of immunodeficiencies have a high rate of tumor incidence and are more susceptible to transplanted or chemical carcinogen-induced tumors. Immunosuppressed patients have a high incidence of tumors. However, many patients develop cancer even in the presence of an apparently normal immune system. This indicates that tumor cells can escape immune surveillance.

In 1971, J. Folkman published in the “New England Journal of Medicine” a hypothesis that tumor growth is angiogenesis-dependent. Folkman introduced the concept that tumors probably secrete diffusible molecules that could stimulate the growth of new blood vessels toward the tumor and that the resulting tumor neovascularization could conceivably be prevented or interrupted by angiogenesis inhibitors. Solid and haematological tumors consist of an avascular and a subsequent vascular phase. Assuming that this depends on the release of angiogenic factors, acquisition of angiogenic capability can be seen as an expression of progression from neoplastic transformation to tumor growth and metastasis.

Beginning in the 1980’s, the biopharmaceutical industry began exploiting the field of antiangiogenesis for creating new therapeutic compounds for modulating new blood vessels in tumor growth. In 2004, Avastin (Bevacizumab), a humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, was the first angiogenesis inhibitor approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of colorectal cancer. At present, it has been estimated that over 20,000 cancer patients worldwide have received experimental form of antiangiogenic therapy.

This book offers a historical account of the relevant literature. It also emphasizes the crucial and paradigmatic role of angiogenesis as a biological process and the significance of antiangiogenic approach for the treatment of tumors.

Vascular Morphogenesis: Methods and Protocols provides a range of techniques for studying vascular morphogenesis in vivo and in vitro, reflecting advances in the field. Endothelial cell signaling is currently believed to promote fundamental cues for cell fate specification, embryo patterning, organ differentiation and postnatal tissue remodeling. Understanding the concept of vascular bed specificity represents a major challenge for future investigations. Indeed, one of the most interesting theoretical perspectives and practical applications of endothelial cell signaling is the possibility for these cells to maintain their inductive potential during adult life. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Practical and authoritative, Vascular Morphogenesis: Methods and Protocols will serve as a instructive and useful reference for cell biologists, anatomists, pathologists and physiologists, as well as all those interested in this area of biological study.