Authors: A. Mantovani, C. A. Dinarello, Petro Ghezzi
Cytokines are polypeptide mediators which act as communication signals among cells of the immune system as well as among other cells and tissues in the body. They are a heterogeneous and complex group and include
interferons,
tumor necrosis factor and chemokines. They play a key role inhomeostasis and inhost defense and are involved in such inflammatory and
autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis as well as infectious diseases such as HIV infection and septic shock. Modulation of the production and action of cytokines, as well as their exploitation as therapeutic agentshas been the object of intense and competitive research. This book overviews the field of cytokine research and…
