This book describes the role of the neutrophil in infection and inflammation and provides an up-to-date review of the biochemistry and physiology of these cells, highlighting the mechanisms by which they seek out and destroy pathogenic micro-organisms. The development of these cells during haematopoiesis is described and the mechanisms which lead to the production of reactive oxidants and the intracellular signal transduction systems which lead to the cell's activation are reviewed. The book also discusses recent discoveries concerning the role of cytokines in the regulation of neutrophil function together with the importance of the neutrophil as a generator of inflammatory cytokines. Finally there is a description of the biochemical defects that give rise to some of the neutrophil-associated human diseases.
1. Neutrophils and host defence: the fight against infection; 2. The development and structure of neutrophils; 3. The generation and recognition of neutrophil-activating factors: structure and function of neutrophil receptors; 4. The cytoskeleton: the molecular framework regulating cell shape and the traffic of intracellular components; 5. The respiratory burst: the generation of reactive oxygen metabolites and their role in microbial killing; 6. Neutrophil activation: the production of intracellular signalling molecules; 7. Neutrophil priming: regulation of neutrophil function during inflammatory activation; 8. Disorders of neutrophil function; Index.
"...a useful basic reference and I would recommend it to immunologists, microbiologists, biochemists, physiologists, infectious disease specialists, hematologists, or to anyone whose interest lies in immunology or microbiology." John O. Naim, Immunological Investigations
