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Beneficial effects of endotoxins
Journal ofImmunologicaIMethods, 73 (1984) 231-235
231
Elsevier JIM03171
Book Reviews
Beneficial Effects of Endotoxins, edited by Alois Nowotny. Plenum Press, New York, 1983 (xiii + 581 pp., illus.) $ 69.50 This multi-author volume reviews recent studies on the biological properties of endotoxins with the aim of elucidating certain beneficial effects of these bacterial products. Most of the 28 chapters herein deal with various aspects of the immunomodulatory activity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The introductory chapter surveys the historical background of the medical applications of endotoxins, from the 'fever therapy' in antiquity and the Middle Ages to the 19th century when the source of bacterial pyrogens was identified. Further the LPS isolation procedures are reviewed along with the chemical nature and the structure-function relationship of the products and their components. Then the effects of LPS on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and on the clotting system are described in chapters 2 and 3 respectively. The immunogenicity of endotoxins is discussed in chapter 4 and the related topic of anti-endotoxin serum protection against Gram-negative bacteraemia, in chapter 5. The radioprotective effect of LPS involving a mitogenic stimulation of B-lymphocytes and mobilization of granulocytes from the bone marrow into the circulation, is evaluated in chapter 6. The mechanisms of tolerance to the pyrogenic and lethal activities of endotoxins, both mediated by RES macrophages, are considered in chapter 7. Chapters 8-21 present data on the beneficial effects of LPS resulting from the non-specific stimulation of the immune system. These encompass the enhancement of resistance to bacterial infections in laboratory animals (including immunosuppressed individuals), the adjuvant action on immunocompetent cells in vitro leading to the synthesis and secretion of antibodies by B cells and of interleukin 1, endogenous pyrogen and prostaglandins by macrophages, the induction of interferon in vivo, and the induction of colony-stimulating activity in experimental animals and in man. Chapters 22-24 describe the uses of another property of LPS, namely its immunosuppressive activity associated with the differentiation of suppressor T cells. This depends on the timing of LPS administration, when it is given to the donor of lymphoid cells (or to the cells in vitro) before their transfer to an histoincompatible recipient, the graft-versus-host reaction is inhibited and transplantation tolerance may follow. Similarly LPS pretreatment can prolong the skin graft survival time and suppress the acute rejection reaction of renal transplants in animals. In chapters 25-27 the immunostimulating action of LPS is discussed again, this time in connection with the enhancement of non-specific resistance to tumours in experimental models. Finally the role of LPS in recognition and resistance responses of solanaceous plants to Pseudomonas solanacearum is evaluated in 0022-1759/84/$03.00 © 1984 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.
232
chapter 28. Even though the beneficial effects of endotoxins depicted in the text are numerous, only few applications of these substances have advanced beyond the experimental stage, an obvious obstacle being their toxicity. However, as pointed out by some contributing authors, LPS can be detoxified by mild acid treatment that leaves its immunomodulatory activity intact. Its therapeutic potential is widely recognized; thus the information contained in this book may yet acquire additional importance in the future. F. Borek
JIM 03183
Immunofluorescence in Medical Science, edited by A. Kawamura, Jr. and Y. Aoyama. Springer-Verlag, Berlin and University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo, 1983 (xii + 262 pp. ill.) DM74.-/approx. $29.40 As explained in the preface this volume has evolved from the contributing authors’ studies on the improvements and refinements of immunofluorescence, from fluorochrome synthesis to innovations in the optical system, carried out over the past 25 years. In addition to the editors the contributors include 5 investigators from Japan, 1 from U.S.A., and 1 from Sweden. The text is divided into 2 parts. The 1st part consists of a brief introduction, presentation of the principles of IF, procedures for preparing, purifying and evaluating antibody-fluorochrome conjugates, methods of specimen preparation, staining techniques, description of the construction and use of fluorescent microscope, and a synopsis of microfluorometry. The 2nd part is devoted to the diagnostic applications of IF in detecting viral and bacterial pathogens in tissues and sera, and in the analysis of cell-surface antigens in the kidney, skin, and blood. Each procedure is described step by step, often with the aid of schematic diagrams and flow charts. The names, chemical formulae, physical data, and quantities of the compounds used are listed regularly; at times methods of their purification are given. The descriptions of equipment are illustrated with diagrams or photographs. The numerous examples of IF applications include clinical cases and are accompanied by photomicrographs of the stained specimens some of which are displayed on 8 colour plates. The results of certain tests are presented in tables. All the chapters are provided with bibliographic references, especially prolific in the 2nd part. A subject index closes the book. The volume bears the marks of expert editing and of high professional level that is matched, except for occasional misprints, by the quality of its exterior. While not a comprehensive treatise on the subject, it can be useful both as a laboratory manual and a reference text. New as well as experienced users of IF should benefit from this recent addition to the methodological literature. F. Borek
231
Elsevier JIM03171
Book Reviews
Beneficial Effects of Endotoxins, edited by Alois Nowotny. Plenum Press, New York, 1983 (xiii + 581 pp., illus.) $ 69.50 This multi-author volume reviews recent studies on the biological properties of endotoxins with the aim of elucidating certain beneficial effects of these bacterial products. Most of the 28 chapters herein deal with various aspects of the immunomodulatory activity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The introductory chapter surveys the historical background of the medical applications of endotoxins, from the 'fever therapy' in antiquity and the Middle Ages to the 19th century when the source of bacterial pyrogens was identified. Further the LPS isolation procedures are reviewed along with the chemical nature and the structure-function relationship of the products and their components. Then the effects of LPS on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and on the clotting system are described in chapters 2 and 3 respectively. The immunogenicity of endotoxins is discussed in chapter 4 and the related topic of anti-endotoxin serum protection against Gram-negative bacteraemia, in chapter 5. The radioprotective effect of LPS involving a mitogenic stimulation of B-lymphocytes and mobilization of granulocytes from the bone marrow into the circulation, is evaluated in chapter 6. The mechanisms of tolerance to the pyrogenic and lethal activities of endotoxins, both mediated by RES macrophages, are considered in chapter 7. Chapters 8-21 present data on the beneficial effects of LPS resulting from the non-specific stimulation of the immune system. These encompass the enhancement of resistance to bacterial infections in laboratory animals (including immunosuppressed individuals), the adjuvant action on immunocompetent cells in vitro leading to the synthesis and secretion of antibodies by B cells and of interleukin 1, endogenous pyrogen and prostaglandins by macrophages, the induction of interferon in vivo, and the induction of colony-stimulating activity in experimental animals and in man. Chapters 22-24 describe the uses of another property of LPS, namely its immunosuppressive activity associated with the differentiation of suppressor T cells. This depends on the timing of LPS administration, when it is given to the donor of lymphoid cells (or to the cells in vitro) before their transfer to an histoincompatible recipient, the graft-versus-host reaction is inhibited and transplantation tolerance may follow. Similarly LPS pretreatment can prolong the skin graft survival time and suppress the acute rejection reaction of renal transplants in animals. In chapters 25-27 the immunostimulating action of LPS is discussed again, this time in connection with the enhancement of non-specific resistance to tumours in experimental models. Finally the role of LPS in recognition and resistance responses of solanaceous plants to Pseudomonas solanacearum is evaluated in 0022-1759/84/$03.00 © 1984 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.
232
chapter 28. Even though the beneficial effects of endotoxins depicted in the text are numerous, only few applications of these substances have advanced beyond the experimental stage, an obvious obstacle being their toxicity. However, as pointed out by some contributing authors, LPS can be detoxified by mild acid treatment that leaves its immunomodulatory activity intact. Its therapeutic potential is widely recognized; thus the information contained in this book may yet acquire additional importance in the future. F. Borek
JIM 03183
Immunofluorescence in Medical Science, edited by A. Kawamura, Jr. and Y. Aoyama. Springer-Verlag, Berlin and University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo, 1983 (xii + 262 pp. ill.) DM74.-/approx. $29.40 As explained in the preface this volume has evolved from the contributing authors’ studies on the improvements and refinements of immunofluorescence, from fluorochrome synthesis to innovations in the optical system, carried out over the past 25 years. In addition to the editors the contributors include 5 investigators from Japan, 1 from U.S.A., and 1 from Sweden. The text is divided into 2 parts. The 1st part consists of a brief introduction, presentation of the principles of IF, procedures for preparing, purifying and evaluating antibody-fluorochrome conjugates, methods of specimen preparation, staining techniques, description of the construction and use of fluorescent microscope, and a synopsis of microfluorometry. The 2nd part is devoted to the diagnostic applications of IF in detecting viral and bacterial pathogens in tissues and sera, and in the analysis of cell-surface antigens in the kidney, skin, and blood. Each procedure is described step by step, often with the aid of schematic diagrams and flow charts. The names, chemical formulae, physical data, and quantities of the compounds used are listed regularly; at times methods of their purification are given. The descriptions of equipment are illustrated with diagrams or photographs. The numerous examples of IF applications include clinical cases and are accompanied by photomicrographs of the stained specimens some of which are displayed on 8 colour plates. The results of certain tests are presented in tables. All the chapters are provided with bibliographic references, especially prolific in the 2nd part. A subject index closes the book. The volume bears the marks of expert editing and of high professional level that is matched, except for occasional misprints, by the quality of its exterior. While not a comprehensive treatise on the subject, it can be useful both as a laboratory manual and a reference text. New as well as experienced users of IF should benefit from this recent addition to the methodological literature. F. Borek