Ebook: Chemokine Receptors and NeuroAIDS: Beyond Co-Receptor Function and Links to Other Neuropathologies

Chemokines and their receptors are being recognized as an integral component of the nervous system implicated in fundamental aspects of development and homeostasis, such as neurotransmission, proliferation, differentiation, and neuronal-glial communication. Thus, their involvement in HIV neuropathology goes far beyond the co-receptors role and entails complex interactions of the chemokine system with different cell types and other regulators of neuronal function. The major goal of this volume is to review these topics in order to highlight alterations of chemokine physiology that may contribute to neuroAIDS and other neuropathologies.

This book will be of interest to neuroscientists, neurologists, virologists, pharmacologists, and students in these fields.

About the Editor:

Olimpia Meucci, MD, PhD is a Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology & Microbiology and Immunology at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. Since her seminal discovery about the regulation of neuronal signaling by chemokines, her research has primarily focused on the physio-pathological roles of this important class of neuroimmune modulators in the central nervous system and their involvement in neuroAIDS. These studies have significantly contributed to current understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of HIV-related neuropathology including the interaction of the chemokine system with drug of abuse, namely opiates, which continues to be a major area of investigation in the Meucci lab.

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Chemokine Receptors and NeuroAIDS: Beyond the Co-receptor Function and Links to Other Neuropathologies focuses on unresolved or emerging issues concerning the role of chemokine receptors in neuronal injury and HIV neuropathology, including their ability to regulate fundamental neuronal and glial functions and their role in neurovirulence and neurotoxicity. Although the importance of these molecules in the CNS physiology and pathology is now apparent, these issues are still matter of debate, and further research is required to design effective pharmacological agents that specifically target the brain chemokine system without major side effects. To this end, specific topics have been selected and are reviewed by international experts within the basic science/medical community. This book encourages investigation in the most controversial areas and fosters interaction between clinicians and basic scientists. The book also increases awareness about differences in disease progression among different parts of the world as well as selected patient populations, which may also help identifying novel therapeutic strategies.