Full Description
Many advances have occurred in the last 5 years especially
in understanding genetic susceptibility factors, the role of
immune response in chronic arthritis and the relationship
between cellular processes that underlie inflammation and
tissue damage. All these are dealt with in depth in the
individual contributions.
Genetics studies included illustrate how studies of HLA
genes and genes controlling the autoantibody repertoire may
be involved. Environmental factors are believed to be
important and studies both in humans and in experimental
models on the role of viral and bacterial agents are
covered. The fascinating relationship between microbes,
dysregulated immune responses and oncogenes are also
examined.
Since autoimmunity is the key aspect of the immunological
response in rheumatoid arthritis, the role of antigens is
re-examined as is the part played by immune T and B cells.
New areas of clinical application of basic science is well
presented in this book, forexample, in examining how
markers of cartilage destruction may become important in
monitoring disease activity. A chapter reviewing possible
future novel therapies is included.
Contents
Is Rheumatoid Arthritis a Disappearing Disease?.- Genetics.- Genetic Factors in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Rheumatoid Arthritis in Southeastern Europe.- Pathogenesis.- Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Cellular and Cytokine Interactions.- Role of Cellular Adhesion in Rheumatoid Synovitis.- Endothelial Cells and Dendritic Cells in Rheumatoid Inflammation.- Cellular and Humoral Immune Response Against Articular Chondrocytes and Proteoglycans in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Role and Regulation of Synovial MHC Class II Antigens in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Related Diseases.- CD5+ B Cells and Double-Negative T Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- The Genetics of Rheumatoid Factors (RF): The V-gene Repertoire of RFs in Rheumatoid Arthritis as Analyzed by Hybridoma Clones.- Neutrophil Polymorphonuclear Cell Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Etiologic Factors — Bacterial Antigens, Autoantigens, Viruses.- Heat-Shock Proteins and Mycobacterial Antigens.- Type-II Collagen in the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Streptococcal Cell Wall Antigens and Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis.- Oncogenes and Retroviruses in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Are Retroviruses Involved in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Diseases?.- Epstein-Barr Virus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Antibodies to EBV-Encoded Proteins in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Autoantibodies and Markers of Disease Activity.- The Antiperinuclear Factor (APF) and Antikeratin Antibodies (AKA) in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Anti-RA33: A New Antinuclear Antibody in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Acute-Phase Response and Amyloid.- Markers of Cartilage Destruction.- Therapy.- Progress in the Therapy of Rheumatoid Arthritis.- T-Cell Vaccination — A Prospect.
