Search

This book highlights progress and trends in the rapidly evolving field of complement-related drug discovery and spotlights examples of clinical applications. As an integral part of innate immunity and critical mediator in homeostatic and inflammatory processes, the human complement system has been identified as contributor to a large number of disorders including ocular, cardiovascular, metabolic, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases as well as in ischemia/reperfusion injury, cancer and sepsis. In addition, complement is often involved in adverse immune reactions to biomaterials, cell and organ transplants or drug delivery systems. Although the complement cascade with its close to 50 extracellular protein targets has long been recognized as an attractive system for therapeutic modulation, the past few years have seen a particularly strong boost in interest. Fueled by novel research insight and the marketing of the first complement-targeted drugs, a plethora of highly creative treatment approaches and potent drug candidates have recently emerged and are currently evaluated in disease models and clinical trials. The chapters in this book cover a wide range of topics related to the development of complement therapeutics, ranging from the molecular and functional description of complement targets to the presentation of novel inhibitors, improved treatment strategies as well as examples of disease models and clinical applications. The broad and up-to-date overview on a highly versatile and dynamic field renders this book an indispensable source of information for researchers and clinicians dealing with therapeutic and disease-related aspects of the human complement system.

The Plasma Proteins: Structure, Function, and Genetic Control, Second Edition, Volume I is a systematic account of the structure, function, and genetic control of plasma proteins. Clinical relevance is introduced in terms of principles, with emphasis on human proteins. Animal proteins are also used as examples in some cases. Comprised of nine chapters, this volume begins with a historical background on plasma proteins, along with their nomenclature, characterization, and genetic markers. The primary structure and three-dimensional conformation of plasma proteins are also considered. The discussion then turns to the chemical, physical, and biological properties of various plasma proteins such as serum albumin, lipoproteins, and immunoglobulins. Subsequent chapters deal with protease inhibitors in plasma; purification, physical properties, chemical composition, and molecular structure of transferrin; biosynthesis and metabolism of serum lipoproteins; and physical, chemical, and functional properties of the proteins of the complement system. The final chapter is devoted to?2-microglobulin, with particular reference to its purification and physical properties; chemical composition and structure; physiological function, biosynthesis, and catabolism; and presence and function in cell membranes. This monograph will be of interest to molecular biologists and biochemists.