Front Cover

Immunopharmacology of the Gastrointestinal System

Copyright Page

Table of Contents

Contributors

Series Preface

Preface

Chapter 1. Neuromodulation of Gastrointestinal Immune and Inflammatory Responses

1. Introduction

2. The Intestinal Immune System

3. Innervation of the Gastrointestinal Tract

4. Inflammation and Gastrointestinal Neuroplasticity

5. Neuroregulation of Cells of the Mucosal Immune System

6. Integration of Intestinal Neuroimmunology

7. References

Chapter 2. Immunomodultion of the Gas Gastrointestinal Epithelium

1. Introduction

2. Epithelial Form and Function

3. Antigen in Sensitized Hosts

4. Immunocompetent Cells

5. Fibroblasts

6. Goblet Cells

7. Neuronal Amplification and Inhibition of GI Epithelium

8. Negative Feedback "Off" Mechanisms

9. Pharmacological Modification of Epithelial Function

10. Conclusions

11. Acknowledgements

12. References

Chapter 3. The Immune Modulation of Intestinal Motor Function

1. Overview

2. Evidence of Altered Motor Function in vivo in the Inflamed Gut

3. Structural Abnormalities in the Motor System in Inflamed Gut

4. Altered Contractility of Muscle in the Inflamed Gut

5. Changes in Enteric Nerve Function in the Inflamed Gut

6. Conclusions

7. Acknowledgements

8. References

Chapter 4. Modulation of Neutrophil Function as a Mode of Therapy for Gastrointestinal Inflammation

1. Introduction

2. Neutrophil-derived Reactive Oxygen Metabolism

3. Antioxidants and Free Radical Scavengers

4. Role of Neutrophils and Oxidants in Gastrointestinal Inflammation: Mechanistic and Pharmacologic Approaches

5. Neutrophil-derived Proteases

6. Role of Neutrophil-derived Proteases in Gastrointestinal Inflammation: Mechanistic and Pharmacologic Approaches

7. Cationic Proteins

8. Summary

9. References

Chapter 5. The Vascular Endothelium in Gastrointestinal Inflammation

1. Introduction

2. Structure of Vascular Endothelium

3. Neutrophil–Endothelial Cell Interactions

4. Microvascular Exchange of Fluid and Protein

5. Ischemia/ Reperfusion-induced Inflammation

6. Ethanol-induced Inflammation

7. Inflammation Induced by Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

8. Summary

9. Acknowledgements

10. References

Chapter 6. Modulation of Mast Cell Function in the Gastrointestinal Tract

1. Introduction

2. Heterogeneity of Mast Cells

3. Mast Cell Mediators

4. Mast Cell Activation

5. Modulation of Mast Cell Functions

6. Conclusions

7. References

Chapter 7. Immunopathophysiolop/y of the Gastrointestinal Tract: Role of Platelet Activating Factor

1. Introduction

2. Historical Overview

3. Platelet Activating Factor and Blood Flow

4. Platelet Activating Factor-induced Vasoconstriction: Role of Secondary Mediators

5. Platelet Activating Factor and Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

6. Microvascular Dysfunction

7. Mucosal Dysfunction

8. Platelet Activating Factor and Gastrointestinal Disease

9. Sources of Platelet Activating Factor

10. Summary

11. Acknowledgements

12. References

Chapter 8. Cytokines

1. Oveview

2. Cytokines in Gastrointestinal Diseases

3. Summary

4. References

Chapter 9. Immunopharmacology of Eicosanoids in the Gastrointestinal Tract

1. Overview

2. Eicosanoids in the Gastrointestinal Tract: Actions, Sources and Receptors

3. Role of Eicosanoids in Gastrointestinal Disease

4. Conclusions

5. References

Chapter 10. Nitric Oxide and the Gastrointestinal Tract

1. Introduction

2. Nitric Oxide Synthase

3. Role of Nitric Oxide in Gastrointestinal Motility

4. Nitric Oxide and the Gastric Microcirculation

5. Role of Nitric Oxide in Modulating Gastric Integrity

6. Nitric Oxide and the Intestinal Vasculature

7. Nitric Oxide and Intestinal Vascular Integrity

8. Cellular Interactions in Vascular Damage

9. Role of Nitric Oxide in Immunologically Activated Processes

10. Further Implications of the Nitric Oxide System

11. References

Chapter 11. Glucocorticoids and Gastrointestinal Inflammation

1. Introduction

2. Glucocorticoid Use and Association with Gastrointestinal Disease: Clinical and Experimental Evidence

3. Mechanisms of the Anti-inflammatory Action of Glucocorticoids

4. Conclusions

5. References

Glossary

Key to Illustrations

Index