Principles of Molecular Rheumatology

Rheumatic diseases are complex in nature and require for their optimal diagnosis and treatment a critical understanding of the mechanisms that lead to their tissue pathology and various clinical manifestations. In Principles of Molecular Rheumatology, George Tsokos and a panel of authoritative clinicians and researchers synthesize all 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. The authors also discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms of action following the administration of the principal drugs used in rheumatology. 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.