Inflammation & Allergy-Drug Targets (Discontinued) - Volume 10, Issue 4, 2011

The journal “Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets” has become over the years one of the leading journals in the specialized field of inflammation, allergy and identification of appropriate molecular targets which can be addressed by well known or newly launchend drugs for the benefit of patients. The journal paves scientifically the road for new concepts and ideas and all the people responsible for the success of the journ Read More

Inflammation, as defined by Stedman's concise medical dictionary, is “a fundamental, stereotyped complex of cytologic and chemical reactions that occur in affected blood vessels and adjacent tissues in response to an injury or abnormal stimulation caused by a physical, chemical, or biologic agent” [1]. It is well established that inflammatory response is a feature and pathophysiological mechanism of many diseases in Read More

The pentraxins, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid P (SAP) and pentraxin3 (PTX3) are useful biomarkers for cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly ischemic heart disease and heart failure, and are deeply involved in the pathogenesis of CVD linked to inflammation and innate immunity. Circulating elevated pentraxins, especially CRP and PTX3 levels can provide prognostic information for a variety of clinical sett Read More

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) has been studied extensively in terms of biology, pathophysiology, diagnostic and prognostic values. Lp-PLA2 is an enzyme produced in atherosclerotic plaque by inflammatory cells, linked to LDL, HDL and VLDL. The binding of Lp-PLA2 to a specific lipoprotein fraction renders it more atherogenic. Increasing evidence has demonstrated Lp-PLA2 as a novel “ideal” marker for C Read More

After heat shock or other metabolic stress, heat shock proteins (Hsps) are expressed at high levels in all tissues and cells. The highly inducible 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) is associated with improved post-ischemic myocardial contractile recovery. Similarly, the small 27 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp27), that is abundant in muscle, is also linked with improved myocardial function after ischemic injury. Various Hsps have pro Read More

Objective: This systematic review evaluates the clinical utility of a novel biomarker kidney injury molecule 1 (Kim-1) in the prediction, diagnosis and prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods: We searched literature in electronic databases from January 2002 to December 2009 by the key words “kidney injury molecule 1” or “Kim-1” and “acute kidney injury” or “acute renal failure”. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they Read More

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, or NGAL, an acute phase protein, is part of the lipocalin family. NGAL is highly induced in inflammatory conditions and ischemia, and is a critical component of innate immunity to bacterial infection. Recently, NGAL has been proven as an emerging biomarker for predicting acute kidney injury (AKI). Meanwhile, numerous studies have also demonstrated that NGAL may be a potential Read More

The immune system protects organisms against environmental and endogenous pathogens. By complex mechanisms, it regulates the homeostasis of inflammatory processes and tissue repair mechanisms. In the retina, these pathways can result in an irreversible tissue scar, which is related to malfunction and loss of function. In the aging retina, inflammation plays a major role and causes adverse effects. Several ophthalmologi Read More

Due to oversight an incorrect figure was published on page 315 in the article entitled “Scleroderma Renal Crisis Accompanied by New-Onset Pulmonary Hypertension: An Acute Systemic Endothelial Injury? Case Report and Literature Review”, Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets, 2010, Vol. 9, Issue no. 4, pp. 313-318. The correct figure is given below.....