Molecular Control of Haemopoiesis (Novartis Foundation Symposia)

Molecular Control of Haemopoiesis Chairman: D. Metcalf 1990 The many different kinds of blood cells are derived from multipotential stem cells that are induced to differentiate into one or another cell type by the action of regulatory proteins or growth factors. This symposium describes how the binding of these proteins to specific receptors causes changes in gene expression in the nucleus and in the activity of certain enzymes in the cytoplasm, thereby committing the cell to a particular developmental pathway. The haemopoietic growth factors interact with other families of known cytokines, particularly the interleukins; the role of these mutual influences in normal cells and in blood disorders, such as leukaemia, is discussed. The molecular cloning of the haemopoietic factors has enabled them to be produced in sufficient quantities to be used clinically, and they are finding applications in many situations. The most promising studies are those where the factors are used to stimulate production of normal blood cells after depletion by irradiation or by chemotherapy treatment of a variety of diseases. This book includes reports on the progress of several clinical trials and discussion of future possibilities. Related Ciba Foundation Symposia: No 84 Microenvironments in haemopoiesis and lymphoid differentiation Chairman: M.F. Greaves 1981 ISBN 0 471 91053 8 No 116 Growth factors in biology and medicine Chairman: Sir Michael Stoker 1985 ISBN 0 471 91085 6 No 131 Tumour necrosis factor and related cytotoxins Chairman: L.J. Old 1987 ISBN 0 471 91097 X