Dendritic Cell Protocols (Hb). Dieser Artikel ist nicht verfügbar.Dendritic Cell Protocols (Hb)

Dendritic Cell Protocols provides chapter and verse for many useful practical approaches to the art of studying dendritic cells. The book gives information on the usual techniques for derivation of human dendritic cells from precursor stem cells, such as monocytes. In addition it provides data on the difficult tasks of isolating dendritic cells directly from different tissues; whether dendritic cells from precursor cells or from tissues of mouse or human are required, this book contributes practical information. The last section of the book is devoted to functional aspects of dendritic cells ranging from inf- mation relevant to cell migration to antigen uptake and T cell stimulation. But what is a dendritic cell? The explosion of studies on this cell type over the last few years is breathtaking. We now have so-called “myeloid” and “plas- cytoid” dendritic cells; are they of separate lineages or are they related? There are claims that dendritic cells can be derived from B cells and from granulocytes, as well as from “monocytes. ” Lymphocytes can be switched on or off by dendritic cells. Dendritic cells can preferentially cause Th1 or Th2 responses or some may stimulate B cells directly. When there is so much scope for exploring these new developments, it is particularly important that the data that are established and the practical basis for this work are clearly available, a task that this book fulfils.

It is now apparent that dendritic cells not only play important roles in the body's immune system through their complex interactions with T cells, B cells, and other cell types, but also possess distinct functional attributes that enable them to assume different roles in that system. In Dendritic Cell Protocols, Stephen P. Robinson, MD, PhD, and Andrew Stagg, PhD, have brought together a wide range of time-proven methods for studying these so-called "veiled" cells. Many of these readily reproducible techniques deal with the problem of obtaining sufficient dendritic cells for analysis, whether by isolation from a wide variety of tissues or from various progenitor cell populations. Other methods describe in step-by-step fashion the techniques commonly used for analyzing aspects of dendritic cells, ranging from cell migration to antigen uptake and T cell stimulation. Variant methods that have been successful in other laboratories have been included to expand experimental possibilities. In addition, a few techniques explore the practical challenges involved in using dendritic cells in a clinical setting to develop novel immunotherapeutics.

State-of-the-art and highly practical, Dendritic Cell Protocols provides both experienced and novice investigators with powerful tools to illuminate the complex biology of these foundation cells-cells that shape the evolution of acquired immune responses, play important roles in innate immunity, and promise the development of powerful new immunotherapeutics.