Publisher's Synopsis
Cytokines are soluble molecules which act as messengers in immune and inflammatory responses intercellularly. The group includes interleukins, colony stimulating factors, tumour neurosis factors and interferons. It has recently been realized that they act not alone, but in a complex network to control haemopoiesis, allergic and inflammatory responses, infection and shock, tumour development, wound repair and more.;This chemical reference discusses the basic classification, structure, source and general functions of cytokines and then applies this to chemical situations, discussing cytokines both in terms of pathogenesis and treatment.;The book also: emphasizes the network effort of cytokines; explains this cutting-edge science in terms of day-to-day medical practice; classifies the complex field of cytokines in terms of structure, source and function; discusses their role in infection, immunology, endocrinology, metabolism and cancer; and reflects the trend towards the biotherapy of disease.
