Cellular Mechanisms in Airways Inflammation

Airways inflammation is a complex biological phenomenon resulting from the recruitment and activation of numerous cell types. Airways inflammation contributes to the pathophysiology of airways disease. An understanding of the mechanisms that regulate inflammatory cell function is essential for the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of common respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. This book provides a collection of valuable reviews on the major inflammatory cells involved in airways disease and examines the pharmacology of current anti-inflammatory drugs used in the treatment of airways disease. Moreover, an insight into the development of emerging drug therapies is also highlighted. This book is a must for the library of any researcher or clinician interested in the pathophysiology of airways disease.

Contents. List of Contributors. Preface. Peter K. Jeffery: Pathological spectrum of airway inflammation. Gianni Marone, Anna Ciccarelli, Giuseppe Spadaro and Anna Maria Onorati: Role of basophils in airways inflammation. Paolo Gresele and Roberta Vezza: Platelets. Moira Whyte: Neutrophils. Anthony J. Coyle, Jose Carlos Gutierrez-Ramos: Eosinophils in asthma. Ian A. Akers, Robin J. McAnulty and Geoffrey J. Laurent: Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Elaine Lee and Stephen A. Kilfeather: Airway macrophages and dendritic cells. Anne Burke-Gaffney and Paul G. Hellewell: Contribution of endothelial cells to airway inflammation. Jagdish Laxman Devalia, Jia Hua Wang and Robert James Davies: Airway epithelial cells. Alastair G. Stewart, Darren J. Fernandes, Valentina Kalafatis, Aurora Messina, Claire E. Ravenhall, Ross Vlahos and Kai-Feng Xu: Airway smooth muscle cells. K. H. Banner, D. Spina and C. P. Page: Drugs that reduce airways inflammation. D. M. Kemeny and B. J. O`Connor: T cells in the lung. Index.