Nucleic Acids in Innate Immunity
Until recently, innate immunity was regarded as a relatively nonspecific system designed to engulf and destroy pathogens. However, new studies show that the innate immune system is highly developed in its ability to discriminate between self and foreign entities. Understanding this mechanism can lead to therapeutic strategies based on manipulation of this previously unexploited branch of the immune system. Drawing on the research of leading experts, Nucleic Acids in Innate Immunity provides insight in this new area of immunology. The book begins by explaining the roles of nucleic acids in immunity, describing the mechanism of discrimination based on pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), Nod-like receptors (NLR), and RIG-I-like receptors (RLR). Chapters discuss how these PRRs recognize and respond to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by activating specific signaling pathways. The second section focuses on the therapeutic applicationsof immunomodulatory DNA by manipulating released pathogenic nucleic acids as immune system stimulants. The book introduces novel therapeutics developed to prevent or treat infectious diseases, allergic disorders, and cancer, as well as clearing unnecessary or abnormal host molecules. The final section addresses how the immune system discriminates self and non-self RNA. Recent findings that host (self) nucleic acids are not inert in the immune system beg the question of exactly what elements within DNA or RNA are recognized by the innate immune system. Contributions review recent advances to understand innate immune recognition of nucleic acids and describe the resulting immune modulation. Providing a comprehensive review of nucleic acid recognition and regulation by the innate immune system, this seminal work reveals new directions for future research in immune modulation.
Bioprocessing-Biotechnology
Bioprocessing: an exciting new engineering discipline. It combines the development and optimization of biotechnological processes with effective strategies to recover and purify the desired products. Safety as well as cost play an important role here. This volume covers the immensely differentiated spectrum of techniques and operations of bioprocessing, presented by the most competent experts in the field. An overview of upstream and downstream processing is given, fermentation and cell culture processes and the design of microbial fermenters are presented. A closing group of chapters is dedicated to issues of process validation, measurement, and regulation. Topics included are: Industrial Cell Cultures/ Pharmaceutical Proteins/ Bioreactors/ Media and Air Sterilization/ Oxygen Transfer/ Scale Implications/ Fermentation Data Analysis/ Cell and Debris Removal/ Protein Purification/ Electrokinetic Separations/ Final Recovery Steps/ Process Validations.
Phagocytosis of Bacteria and Bacterial Pathogenicity
This book provides up-to-date information on the crucial interaction of pathogenic bacteria and professional phagocytes, the host cells whose purpose is to ingest, kill, and digest bacteria in defense against infection. The introductory chapters focus on the receptors used by professional phagocytes to recognize and phagocytose bacteria, and the signal transduction events that are essential for phagocytosis of bacteria. Subsequent chapters discuss specific bacterial pathogens and the strategies they use in confronting professional phagocytes. Examples include Helicobacter pylori, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Yersinae, each of which uses distinct mechanisms to avoid being phagocytosed and killed. Contrasting examples include Listeria monocytogenes and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which survive and replicate intracellularly, and actually cooperate with phagocytes to promote their entry into these cells. Together, the contributions in this book provide an outstanding review of current knowledge regarding the mechanisms of phagocytosis and how specific pathogenic bacteria avoid or exploit these mechanisms.s.
Author(s):Harry LeVine
Series: Contemporary World Issues
Publisher: ABC-CLIO
ISBN: 1851098607
Publication: 2006
Pages: 313Click here to download the book