Gerhard Groß Books

Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous population of cells which reside in a variety of tissues. They differentiate into several mesodermal lineages, secrete a multitude of trophic factors and contribute to tissue homeostasis. MSCs are able to exert immunosuppressive activities by interfering with inflammatory cytokine production and with T- and B-cell proliferation. These immunomodulating properties make MSCs promising candidates for the treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. There are, however, certain caveats involved including inappropriate migration of cells in the body, immune rejection, tumor formation, or graft versus host disease (GvHD). This book investigates the current state of the MSC-dependent therapy of chronic inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases. Among the covered topics are GvHD, chronic kidney, liver and lung disease, ischemic heart and inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, various rheumatic and neurological disorders and, lastly, tumors and solid organ transplantations. This book also questions the immunoprivileged status of MSCs, discusses the therapeutic role of MSCs in experimental animal disease models and their translation to the corresponding human disorders, envisions a role for MSCs in tumor interventions and, lastly, describes a systems biology approach for stem cells and inflammation.

Six decades after the discovery of chlorpromazine and four decades post-launch of clozapine, psychopharmacology stands at a crucial crossroad. There's a pressing need for pharmacological research to explore complementary or alternative mechanisms to address unmet medical needs in schizophrenia, such as improving patient acceptance, adherence to medication, and safety in psychoses among dementia patients. Novel mechanisms, particularly related to glutamatergic functions, are emerging from our understanding of psychotic disorders. This situation mirrors the early days of second-generation antipsychotics, offering opportunities for researchers to validate hypotheses and for the pharmaceutical industry to innovate new therapeutic classes. In response to the need for updated knowledge on antipsychotics, we aimed to compile both current understanding and future prospects for treatments targeting schizophrenia. This endeavor revealed the complexity of the subject, necessitating two volumes: Current Antipsychotics and Novel Antischizophrenia Treatments. The first volume addresses the ongoing challenges of developing safer medications, while the second focuses on new opportunities for treating inadequately addressed negative symptoms and cognitive deficits. We hope these contributions will advance the development of improved treatments for schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, while also considering genetic and neurodevelopm