Apoptosis is a form of cell death that occurs in a controlled manner and
is generally noninflammatory in nature. Apoptosis, or programmed cell
death, implies a cell death that is part of a normal physiological
process of pruning of unneeded cells. However, many disease conditions
utilize apoptosis for pathological ends, resulting in inappropriate cell
death and tissue destruction. This book starts with an introduction that
reviews the general characteristics of apoptosis, its regulation and its
role in physiology and disease. Next, the book focuses on three areas as
they relate to inflammatory cells and diseases. The first area consists
of chapters on signals for apoptosis important to inflammatory cells,
namely growth factors and arachidonic acid metabolism. The next area
that the book focuses on are effects at the cellular level, on cell
survival versus cell death and signals critical for cell function in
both normal and disease states. These topics are covered in chapters on
lymphocytes, granulocytes, chondrocytes and keratinocytes. The last area
that the book focuses on are events at the level of tissue and disease,
looking at the evidence for altered apoptosis and/or apoptotic processes
in immune and inflammatory diseases. These topics are covered in
chapters on rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, psoriasis and
renal disease. Together, these chapters will provide the reader with the
latest insight in the role of apoptosis in inflammatory cells and
diseases. This book starts with an introduction that reviews the general
characteristics of apoptosis, its regulation and its role in physiology
and disease. Next, the book focuses on three areas as they relate to
inflammatory cells and diseases. The first area consists of chapters on
signals for apoptosis important to inflammatory cells, namely growth
factors and arachidonic acid metabolism. The next area that the book
focuses on are effects at the cellular level, on cell survival versus
cell death and signals critical for cell function in both normal and
disease states. These topics are covered in chapters on lymphocytes,
granulocytes, chondrocytes and keratinocytes. The last area that the
book focuses on are events at the level of tissue and disease, looking
at the evidence for altered apoptosis and/or apoptotic processes in
immune and inflammatory diseases. These topics are covered in chapters
on rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, psoriasis and renal
disease. Together, these chapters will provide the reader with the
latest insight in the role of apoptosis in inflammatory cells and
diseases.
