Dendritic Cells in Clinics

Dendritic-cell research has seen immense progress over the last decade, a period that coincides with the author s specialization in the field. Research has shown dendritic cells to be much more than simple antigen-presenters; now, they are recognized as the initiators and regulators of the immune system. This volume focuses on the practical application of the cells in clinical settings, including in-depth analyses of the roles they can play in allergy, autoimmunity, tumor immunology, and transplantation. The author looks at recent developments in the phenotype and function of dendritic cells and discusses their clinical application. To provide a clear background to the book, there is also a thorough history of dendritic-cell research and an overview of the characteristics of each type of cell. Now that dendritic cells can be obtained from peripheral blood, the opportunity for developing and improving therapies for many conditions has never been greater. TOC:History and Concept ofDendritic Cells.- General Features of Dendritic Cells.- Interactions Between Dendritic Cells and Infectious Agents.- Dendritic Cells and Allergy.- Dendritic Cells in Autoimmunity.- Dendritic Cells in Tumor Immunology.- Dendritic Cells in Transplantation.- Follicular Dendritic Cells.