- Email: [email protected]
Monoclonal antibodies and human blood platelets
255
Book reviews Monoclonal Antibodies and Human Blood Platelets, edited by J.L. ~.'!~Gregor. INSERM Symposium 27, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1986, 326 p., US$ 70.25
Human Genes and Diseases, by F. Blasi. Horizons in Biochemistry Vo!. 8, edited by E. Quaglioretto
It was in 1975 that the utility of antibodies for the study of platelet functions was first reported. In that case, it was a natural antibody produced by a polytransfused thrombasthenic patient and directed against the GP IIb/IIIa complex (Nurden and Cane (1975) Nature 255, 72). The perspectives offered by an antibody of this specificity is more than evident, but it is only with the development of hybridomas (Kohler and Milstein (1975) Nature 256, 495) that this possibility could really be exploited. For the past 6 years, an ever growing number of monoclonal antibodies has been produced, characterized and used to study the structures and functions of membrane components (almost exclusively glycoproteins) of huma", platelets. This has allowed significant progress to be made in the understanding of the roles of these membrane g!ycoproteins in the essential functions (aggregation, adhesion) of platelets. This book, which groups together ~ ~airnumber of internationally recognized specialists (~:~:~icularlyEuropeans) is especially useful for all who are interested in blood platelets outside the realm of their direct functions in homeostasis, because it clearly describes the majority of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) used in this field. The book is divided into six parts. The fifth is an introduction to human platelets and monoclonal antibodies. The following section deals with mAb recognizing the glycoprotein (GP) Ib, which is neccessary for platelet adhesion. The third part treats mAb directed against the GP IIb/IIIa which is essential for p!a~elet aggregation, mAb interacting with membrane glycoproteins could be involved in the regulation of the calcium flux, and with the platelet cytoskeleton, are described in the fourth part. The fifth section concerns mAb directed against 'adhesive' proteins, such as factor VIII: the Willebrand factor in thrombospondin. Finally, the last part discusses the use of mAb as a tool in the detection of certain pathologies. This new volume in the series of INSERM symposia is, as -'always, well presented. Obviously, it is aimed at a highly specialized public, but one whicn is constantly growing, seen the more and more numerous publications concerning platelets. In contrast to the majority of symposia, the articles are sufficiently long to be rich in detail and well-documented, which should render this volume an important reference for all researchers specialized in this rapidly evolving field.
This book, eighth in the series Horizons in Biochemistry, discusses the approaches of applied molecular genetics to human hereditary diseases. Chromosomal topography was used as the basis for defining this program: anomalies linked to the X chromosome in the first section, anomalies linked to autosomes in the second. Two contributions in the first part describe the polymorphism of restriction fragments as a general method for mapping the human X chromosome, which is particularly dense. The chapter by I. Oberle and J.L. Mandel which takes advantage of the defects present in hemophilias A and B, is of special interest. The last chapter in this section shows that the cloning of an Xlinked gene enables the study of the phenomenon of inactivation of a particular X chromosome. The second part treats the diverse diseases linked to autosomic mutations. :~rnong these, thalassemia, collagen diseases and hyperlipidemias were chosen. The latter allow an approach to the predisposition to atherosclerosis. A third section deals with the genetics of the cancer phenotype, notably the genes activating plasminogen and diverse oncogenes, which allow, in particular, to specify the tendency to form metastases. The characteristic common to these a_rt_ic!esis a rather general and complete presentation of the fundamental and medical aspects involved which permits the non specialists as well as geneticists to easily read the text.
J.M. Launay
and F. Palmeri. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1986, 676 p., £ 45
Y. Raoul
Accuracy in Molecular Processes: Its Control and Relevance in Living Systems, by T.B.L. Kirkwood, R.F. Rosenberger and D.J. Galas. C h a p m a n and Hall, London, 1986, 398 p., £ 48.50 This book deals only with the problem of accuracy in the transfer of genetic information, either from DNA to DNA or from DNA to proteins. The main problems which are treated are therefore accuracy of DNA replication, DNA repair, DNA transcription and protein synthesis. There is no reference to the accuracy of RNA or
Book reviews Monoclonal Antibodies and Human Blood Platelets, edited by J.L. ~.'!~Gregor. INSERM Symposium 27, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1986, 326 p., US$ 70.25
Human Genes and Diseases, by F. Blasi. Horizons in Biochemistry Vo!. 8, edited by E. Quaglioretto
It was in 1975 that the utility of antibodies for the study of platelet functions was first reported. In that case, it was a natural antibody produced by a polytransfused thrombasthenic patient and directed against the GP IIb/IIIa complex (Nurden and Cane (1975) Nature 255, 72). The perspectives offered by an antibody of this specificity is more than evident, but it is only with the development of hybridomas (Kohler and Milstein (1975) Nature 256, 495) that this possibility could really be exploited. For the past 6 years, an ever growing number of monoclonal antibodies has been produced, characterized and used to study the structures and functions of membrane components (almost exclusively glycoproteins) of huma", platelets. This has allowed significant progress to be made in the understanding of the roles of these membrane g!ycoproteins in the essential functions (aggregation, adhesion) of platelets. This book, which groups together ~ ~airnumber of internationally recognized specialists (~:~:~icularlyEuropeans) is especially useful for all who are interested in blood platelets outside the realm of their direct functions in homeostasis, because it clearly describes the majority of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) used in this field. The book is divided into six parts. The fifth is an introduction to human platelets and monoclonal antibodies. The following section deals with mAb recognizing the glycoprotein (GP) Ib, which is neccessary for platelet adhesion. The third part treats mAb directed against the GP IIb/IIIa which is essential for p!a~elet aggregation, mAb interacting with membrane glycoproteins could be involved in the regulation of the calcium flux, and with the platelet cytoskeleton, are described in the fourth part. The fifth section concerns mAb directed against 'adhesive' proteins, such as factor VIII: the Willebrand factor in thrombospondin. Finally, the last part discusses the use of mAb as a tool in the detection of certain pathologies. This new volume in the series of INSERM symposia is, as -'always, well presented. Obviously, it is aimed at a highly specialized public, but one whicn is constantly growing, seen the more and more numerous publications concerning platelets. In contrast to the majority of symposia, the articles are sufficiently long to be rich in detail and well-documented, which should render this volume an important reference for all researchers specialized in this rapidly evolving field.
This book, eighth in the series Horizons in Biochemistry, discusses the approaches of applied molecular genetics to human hereditary diseases. Chromosomal topography was used as the basis for defining this program: anomalies linked to the X chromosome in the first section, anomalies linked to autosomes in the second. Two contributions in the first part describe the polymorphism of restriction fragments as a general method for mapping the human X chromosome, which is particularly dense. The chapter by I. Oberle and J.L. Mandel which takes advantage of the defects present in hemophilias A and B, is of special interest. The last chapter in this section shows that the cloning of an Xlinked gene enables the study of the phenomenon of inactivation of a particular X chromosome. The second part treats the diverse diseases linked to autosomic mutations. :~rnong these, thalassemia, collagen diseases and hyperlipidemias were chosen. The latter allow an approach to the predisposition to atherosclerosis. A third section deals with the genetics of the cancer phenotype, notably the genes activating plasminogen and diverse oncogenes, which allow, in particular, to specify the tendency to form metastases. The characteristic common to these a_rt_ic!esis a rather general and complete presentation of the fundamental and medical aspects involved which permits the non specialists as well as geneticists to easily read the text.
J.M. Launay
and F. Palmeri. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1986, 676 p., £ 45
Y. Raoul
Accuracy in Molecular Processes: Its Control and Relevance in Living Systems, by T.B.L. Kirkwood, R.F. Rosenberger and D.J. Galas. C h a p m a n and Hall, London, 1986, 398 p., £ 48.50 This book deals only with the problem of accuracy in the transfer of genetic information, either from DNA to DNA or from DNA to proteins. The main problems which are treated are therefore accuracy of DNA replication, DNA repair, DNA transcription and protein synthesis. There is no reference to the accuracy of RNA or