Proceedings of an international conference held in Magdeburg, Germany, November 3-5, 1996

Of the many special roles played by proteolytic enzymes in immune reactions, this book addresses different aspects of membrane peptidases, signal transduction via ligation of membrane peptidases (especially of dipeptidyl peptidase IV/CD26 and aminopeptidase N/CD13), and regulation of membrane peptidases in vivo and in vitro. A number of newly discovered peptidases (including cathepsin F, W and X, carboxypeptidase X, attractin) are described, with special emphasis given to the role of peptidases in immune and defense reactions and in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and other diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and tumours of various origins. The focus on the involvement of a selection of proteolytic enzymes in immune reactions and diseases is a unique feature of this multifaceted work , which combines biochemical, immunological and clinical research reports with literary reviews of the field.

The idea to compile recent results on the ectoenzymes aminopeptidase N/CD13 and dipeptidylpeptidase IV/CD26 arose from the great interest given by readers world-wide to the two proceedings volumes edited by us in 1997 and 2000 (Ansorge and Langner, 1997; Langner and Ansorge, 2000). These volumes contained the presentations at two symposia held in Magdeburg (Germany) in 1996 and 1999 under the title "Cellular peptidases in immune functions and diseases", which was also the name of the Sonderforschungsbereich in Magdeburg, sponsored by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft between 1995 and 2001. Our groups in Magdeburg and Halle during the last two decades have provided results on these two enzymes in cells of the hematopoietic system that justify a review in an edited monograph like the present one (see the reviews by Kahne et at. , 1999; Lendeckel et at. ,1999; Riemann et at. , 1999). There are, however, many other groups in Europe, US and Japan which made important contributions to this field and particularly in topics improving the understanding of physiological and pathophysiological roles ofAPN/CD13 and DPIV/CD26. Therefore we decided to invite some of them to contribute reviews of their results to this book. Having worked for about 40 years in the field of proteolysis, for both of us to see the development of activities and knowledge from protein chemistry and enzymology to physiology and pathophysiology and even to therapy is very stimulating and fascinating. Of course, this development also reflects the dramatic improvement and refinement of methods.

Vols. for 1963- include as pt. 2 of the Jan. issue: Medical subject headings.

Aminopeptidases in Biology and Disease provides a comprehensive review of the emerging role of aminopeptidases in a range of biological processes and disease situations. Processes as diverse as angiogenesis, antigen presentation, neuropeptide and hormone processing, pregnancy and reproduction, protein turnover, memory, inflammation, tumour growth, cancer and metastasis, blood pressure and hypertension all critically involve one or more aminopeptidases. The individual chapters have been written by experts in the field who have provided detailed accounts of the central roles played by various aminopeptidases in biology and disease.

Proceedings of the International Conference on Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidases, held September 26-28, 2002, in Berlin, Germany. Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidases exert a potent modulatory role at an interface between immune mechanisms, metabolic responses and neuroendocrine pathways. Experimental models and clinical studies addressing the role of these enzymes and the effect of specific inhibitors pave the way to novel therapeutic concepts in immunology, rheumatology, oncology, reproductive medicine and diabetes. Leading experts in this field have contributed to this book which presents a state-of-the-art view on these enzymes, at a time when our understanding of their function is growing ever more rapidly and therapeutic options become imminent. The sections of the book focus on various topics: - Structure and function of dipeptidyl aminopeptidases, - DPP IV-like proteins, - Immune mechanisms and immune disorders, - Cancer and angiogenesis, - Diabetes and metabolism, - Therapeutic implications.