"Immunopharmacology" , why not "pharmacoimmunology"? Professor H. O. Schild University College London, 1962 An intact immune response is essential for survival, as is evidenced by the various innate immune deficiency syndromes and by the emergence of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) as a pandemic during the last decade. Substances which stimulate the immune response might contribute to the therapy of AIDS and its precursor, AIDS-related syndrome, as well as of other clinical conditions in which immune responses can be diminished, such as carcinoma and infections. In other circumstances, an intact or heightened immune response may pose clinical problems; hence there is need to suppress, or diminish, components of the immune response. For instance, it is necessary to impair cellular immunity in order to ensure lasting acceptance of heterografts and it is already established that agents effective in transplantation are therapeutically effective in an range of autoimmune diseases. More recently, experimental studies have indicated that aberrant manifestations of humoral immunity, as in allergies, may also be amenable to pharmacological intervention.

Klappentext

This volume provides a comprehensive survey of the rationale, techniques and contemporary understanding of those drugs which have significant immunomodulatory activity. Major features of the volume include: an overview of current understanding of the biochemistry of lymphocyte activation, an extensive description of the methodology required for study of lymphocytes and their products; coverage of the interaction between lymphocytes and selected hormones; a synopsis of the current understanding of drugs designed to modify lymphocyte function; and an assessment of the prospects for selecting drugs which might modify the immune response. By presenting immunology as a discipline amenable to investigation by pharmacologists, and in view of the current detailed understanding of molecular mechanisms in immunology, immunotherapy is promised increased attention. This volume summarizes the extent to which such expectations have been fulfilled and allows an assessment of the prospects for progress in lymphocyte pharmacology.

Inhalt
Glossary of Common Immunological Terms.- 1.- 1 The Evolution, Ontogeny, and Physiologic Function of Lymphocytes.- 2 De Novo Expression of Receptors on T Cells.- 3 Membrane Events During Lymphocyte Activation.- 4 Intracellular Events During Lymphocyte Activation.- 2.- 5Generation and Measurement of Antibodies.- 6 Monoclonal Antibodies to Lymphocyte Surface Molecules as Probes for Lymphocyte Functions.- 7 Interleukin 1 Production from Various Cells and Measurement of its Multiple Biologic Activities.- 8 Production and Measurement of Interleukin 2 and Interleukin 3.- 9 Production and Measurement of Interferons.- 10 Factors Regulating IgE Synthesis.- 11 Generation, Biology, and Assay of Efferent Lymphokines.- 12 Lymphocyte Purification, Growth, Cloning and Functional Assays.- 13 Screening Strategies for Detecting Immunotherapeutic Agents.- 3.- 14 Selected Autacoids as Modulators of Lymphocyte Function.- 15 Lipid Mediators and Lymphocyte Function.- 16 Thymic Hormones and Lymphocyte Functions.- 4.- 17 Glucocorticosteroids.- 18Slow Acting Antirheumatics.- 19 Cyclophosphamide.- 20 Lobenzarit (CCA).- 21 Cyclosporins: Immunopharmacologic Properties of Natural Cyclosporins.- 22 Muramyl Dipeptides.- 23 Antipurines and Purine Metabolism.- 24 Isoprinosine and NPT 15392: Hypoxanthine-Containing Immunomodulators.- 25Bacterial and Fungal Products.- 26 Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: Effects on Lymphocyte Function.- 27 Future Prospects for Drugs Design of Lymphocyte Modulators.