Heat shock proteins have received ample interest by immunologists over
recent years. Initially they were found to be dominantly immunogenic
microbial antigens. The connection to inflammation was established when
it was uncovered that T-cells reactive to HSP60 of mycobacteria had a
crucial role in the induction and, more interestingly, regulation of
experimental arthritis. Since then, the raised presence of immunity to
HSP in virtually all conditions of inflammation, including autoimmune
diseases, transplant rejection and atherosclerosis, has emphasised the
critical significance of immunity to HSP in inflammatory diseases.
Recently, first trials with HSP peptides were undertaken and reported in
Type I diabetes and in arthritis. As this has stimulated a wide interest
in this particular field the book aims at giving an update of these
exciting current developments and to provide the basis for understanding
the mode of action of HSP-based immunotherapeutic interventions. This
will include aspects of specific adaptive immunity and aspects of innate
immunity.
The audience can be biologists, immunologists, microbiologists and other
researchers, but also clinicians interested in the rapidly evolving
field of immune-interventions. The book has its focus on immunity to HSP
and its impact on the regulation of inflammation. This is the field that
was developed mainly by European research groups. Other competing
volumes have more emphasis on chaperone qualities of HSP and the
potential application in vaccines, including anti-cancer vaccines.
The book will be a combination of work carried out in experimental model
systems and in patients, which includes clinical research.
