Molecular Mechanisms of Spondyloarthropathies

It is now over ten years since we edited the first edition of HLA-B27 in the Development of Spondyloarthropathies (SpA). It is obvious that over this period an enormous amount of information concerning SpA and HLA-B27 has accumulated, and this has been reflected in the knowledge of molecular mechanism of the spondyloarthropathies. Discussion for such a book took initial form at the outstanding 4th Gent Symposium on SpA in October 2006, but was not formally commissioned by Landes Bioscience until early 2007. Molecular Mechanisms of Spondyloarthropathies aims to synthesize this growing knowledge and present all the current studies concerning the basic research of SpA.

Over the last decade, enormous progress has been made in the understanding of the molecular and cellular processes that lead to disease pathology. Recognition of the pathways involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of disease and the potential to target specific immune effector functions have opened the door to a wide range of innovative treatment opportunities for the SpA. Thus, we believe that the understanding of the specific molecular mechanisms involved would help to design highly specific drugs in the future. The contributors are among the best in their field and reflect the state of the art of research and current opinion of rheumatologists and immunologists.

CARLOS LÓPEZ-LARREA is Professor of Immunology (UC M, Madrid, Spain) and currently Head of the Histocompatiblity Unit at the 'Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias' (Oviedo, Spain). He is a world expert on spondyloarthropathies (SpA), in particular genetic (MHC) and immunologic factors that influence the development of SpA. His primary research is focused on understanding the role of HLA-B27 polymorphism in the development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and describing relevant associations of B27 subtypes with AS in large extended worldwide populations. In the last decade, the availability of HLA-B27 subtypes differentially associated with the disease has provided a unique tool for exploring the relationship between peptide specificity and pathogenetic potential. The main research interests of his group currently include the role of innate immunity (NKs) in SpA. He is a member of several national and international scientific organizations. It is now over ten years since the first edition of HLA-B27 in the Developement of Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) was published and edited by C. López-Larrea. This current book aims to synthesize the growing knowledge in the field and present all current studies concerning basic research in SpA.

ROBERTO DÍAZ -PEÑA is a predoctoral investigator in the Histocompatibility Unit of the Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. He graduated in biochemistry, at the University of Oviedo, Spain. His main research interests include the genetics of spondyloarthropathies, especially ankylosing spondylitis, and the role of inhibitory and activating KIR receptors in this disease.