Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part I. Molecular Mechanisms in Rheumatic Diseases
Genetics
Peter K. Gregersen
Viruses
Andras Perl
Apoptosis
John D. Mountz, Hui-Chen Hsu, Huang-Ge Zhang, and Tong Zhou
Humoral Response
Gary S. Gilkeson
T-Cell Signaling
Gary A. Koretzky and Erik J. Peterson
Adhesion and Costimulatory Molecules
Vassiliki A. Boussiotis, Gordon J. Freeman, and Lee M. Nadler
Transcription Factors
Henry K. Wong
Immune Complexes
Mark H. Wener
Complement
V. Michael Holers
Eicosanoids and Other Bioactive Lipids
Leslie J. Crofford
Collagens
Sergio A. Jiménez
Part II. Cellular Mechanisms in Rheumatic Diseases
T-Lymphocytes
Nilamadhab Mishra and Gary M. Kammer
B-Lymphocytes
Robert F. Ashman
Monocytes and Macrophages
James M. K. Chan and Sharon M. Wahl
Polymorphonuclear Cells
Michael H. Pillinger, Pamela B. Rosenthal, and Bruce N. Cronstein
Synoviocytes
David E. Yocum
Chondrocytes
Tariq M. Haqqi, Donald D. Anthony, and Charles J. Malemud
Osteoblasts and Osteoclasts
Stavros C. Manolagas
Animal Models
Thomas J. Lang and Charles S. Via
Part III. Pathogenesis of Rheumatic Diseases
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Stamatis-Nick C. Liossis and George C. Tsokos
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Richard M. Pope and Harris Perlman
Inflammatory Myopathies
Norbert Goebels and Reinhard Hohlfeld
Systemic Sclerosis
Timothy M. Wright
Vasculitis
Jörg J. Goronzy and Cornelia M. Weyand
Osteoarthritis
Robin Poole and Ginette Webb
Osteoporosis
Stavros C. Manolagas
Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue
Petros Tsipouras
Part IV. Molecular Aspects of Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases
Corticosteroids
Henry K. Wong and George C. Tsokos
Cytotoxic Drugs
David A. Fox and W. Joseph McCune
Complement Inhibitors
Savvas C. Makrides
Cytokine Response Modifiers
Richard E. Jones and Larry W. Moreland
Restoration of Immune Tolerance
Woodruff Emlen
Metalloproteases and Their Modulation as Treatment in Osteoarthritis
Johanne Martel-Pelletier, Ginette Tardif, Julio Fernandes, and Jean-Pierre Pelletier
Gene Therapy
Robert P. Kimberly

George Tsokos and a panel of authoritative clinicians and researchers synthesize the latest findings from across cell and molecular biology with the basic principles of rheumatology to create the first textbook of molecular rheumatology. These established experts describe the biochemical mechanisms by which apoptosis, cell signaling, complement, lipids, and viruses contribute to disease expression, and detail both immune and nonimmune cell function in rheumatic diseases. Their review of the major rheumatic diseases integrates the cellular, biochemical, and molecular biological mechanisms that are important in rheumatic disease pathogenesis. Path-breaking and illuminating, Principles of Molecular Rheumatology expands the envelope of clinical understanding to reveal the biological roots underlying rheumatologic disease, as well as the nature and roles of the powerful new therapeutics now emerging for its optimal treatment.