Neuroimmunology Of The Skin

Much anecdotal information has suggested an influence of psychology and the nervous system on immunity within the skin and the expression of inflammatory skin disorders. Recent years have seen an explosion of knowledge providing a scientific basis for important regulatory interactions between the nervous system, the endocrine system and the immune system within the skin. The results of recent investigations have important implications, not only for an understanding of cutaneous immunity, but also for the development of novel treatments for diseases involving abnormal inflammation or immune reactivity within the skin. This book provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary review of the molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry and clinical aspects of nervous system–immune system interactions within the skin. It includes contributions from leading world experts in these areas. The contents are relevant to both investigators and clinicians interested in the skin, its functions and its disorders.

Much anecdotal information has suggested an influence of psychology and the nervous system on immunity within the skin and the expression of inflammatory skin disorders. Recent years have seen an explosion of knowledge providing a scientific basis for important regulatory interactions between the nervous system, the endocrine system and the immune system within the skin. The results of recent investigations have important implications, not only for an understanding of cutaneous immunity, but also for the development of novel treatments for diseases involving abnormal inflammation or immune reactivity within the skin. This book provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary review of the molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry and clinical aspects of nervous system–immune system interactions within the skin. It includes contributions from leading world experts in these areas. The contents are relevant to both investigators and clinicians interested in the skin, its functions and its disorders.

While it may appear that the nervous and immune systems exist as two separate entities, groundbreaking observations have positively identified anatomic connections between elements of the nervous system and cells of adaptive immunity. Building on this research, Autonomic Neuroimmunology presents a scientific discussion of the current understanding of these vital neuroimmunological interactions and their implications for normal psychology and disease states. Contributors document the cell biological mechanisms for the neuropeptide activation of mast cells, and analyze how one or more adrenergenic and peptidergic messengers modulate immunity. They also explain the pathways by which cholinergic factors may suppress immunological inflammation. The potential implications of organ system-selective neuroimmunology for host defense and diseases are thoroughly discussed for the skin, the intestines, the bladder, and the lungs. With modern neuroimmunology now firmly established as a scientific discipline, this volume supports this promising science as a pathway to novel diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for diseases of the neural, immune, and endocrine systems.

Top scientific authors contribute their expertise and put a wealth of complex information into perspective in Skin Immune System: Cutaneous Immunology & Clinical Immunodermatology, Third Edition. This edition provides an overview of the skin immune system (SIS), a totally updated section on immunodermatological diseases, and six new chapters. Part I presents historical and comparative information on immunodermatology and includes a new chapter on the immunogenetics of inflammatory skin disease, while Part II covers the cellular elements of SIS and highlights newly defined functional subclasses of cells. Part III describes the humoral elements of SIS and provides two new chapters which focus on defensins and cathelicidins, and on the chemokines of human skin. Part IV discusses how the cellular and humoral elements of SIS interact under different circumstances and includes a new chapter on signal transduction pathways in cutaneous immunology. Part V focuses on dermatological diseases with a significant immunological background with a new chapter on the immunology of cutaneous drug eruptions, followed by Part VI on immunotherapy in dermatology, which features a new chapter reflecting the recent wave of products from biotechnology. Since the publication of the previous editions, a great deal of significant information has become available in almost all areas of cutaneous immunology and clinical immunodermatology. This progress has now been reflected in a completely updated and expanded resource.

Addresses those areas of skin immunology and skin sciences that account for the processes that control irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. Outlines numerous cellular and molecular factors involved in the development of irritation and sensitization, and describes technologies and the practical application of biochemicals which might lead to reduction of these skin reactions. Reviews immune function in contact dermatitis, and reviews patent literature of agents modulating irritation and sensitization. Kydonieus is president of a pharmaceutical company involved in development of biomaterials and drug delivery products.

This book offers a detailed review of the remarkable advances that have been made in research on the pathogenesis of a number of neuroimmunological diseases, as well as outlining novel treatments including the use of monoclonal antibodies. Written by renowned experts who have made major contributions in the field, such as identifying neuromyelitis optica as an immunopathological clinical condition, identifying the role of ganglioside and ganglioside-complex antibodies in Guillain-Barré syndrome, and developing a novel treatment for POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes) syndrome, the book summarizes recent advances in basic and clinical research. Neuroimmunological Diseases is a useful resource for not only researchers but also neurologists who are engaged in the management of neuroimmunological diseases.

Dermatologists are being asked to understand the pathophysiology of a number of immune-mediated skin diseases. In addition, a number of new products have appeared on the market during the past decade which requires an understanding of the mechanisms of action of these drugs. Dermatologists, however, have no easily understood book to which they can refer to regarding the disease or the drug.

Top scientific authors contribute their expertise and put a wealth of complex information into perspective in Skin Immune System: Cutaneous Immunology & Clinical Immunodermatology, Third Edition. This edition provides an overview of the skin immune system (SIS), a totally updated section on immunodermatological diseases, and six new chapters. Part I presents historical and comparative information on immunodermatology and includes a new chapter on the immunogenetics of inflammatory skin disease, while Part II covers the cellular elements of SIS and highlights newly defined functional subclasse.

Pathbreaking research offers new hope for treating brain diseases and injuries and for maintaining brain health even into old age In the past, the brain was considered an autonomous organ, self-contained and completely separate from the body's immune system. But over the past twenty years, neuroimmunologist Michal Schwartz, together with her research team, not only has overturned this misconception but has brought to light revolutionary new understandings of brain health and repair. In this book Schwartz describes her research journey, her experiments, and the triumphs and setbacks that led to the discovery of connections between immune system and brain. Michal Schwartz, with Anat London, also explains the significance of the findings for future treatments of brain disorders and injuries, spinal cord injuries, glaucoma, depression, and other conditions such as brain aging and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Scientists, physicians, medical students, and all readers with an interest in brain function and its relationship to the immune system in health and disease will find this book a valuable resource. With general readers in mind, the authors provide a useful primer to explain scientific terms and concepts discussed in the book.