An involvement of the immune system is suspected in various cardiovascular diseases. Recent advances in the fields of molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, and immunology have made it possible to identify several pathomechanisms. However, still more questions arise with regard to the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of immunologically mediated cardiovascular diseases. In this book, leading scientists and clinicians from different areas of cardiology present the state-of-the-art knowledge on the involve ment of the immune system in myocardial and vascular diseases. In the field of myocarditis, both the virological and the immunological findings are presented, and the interactions between the virus and the immune system are discussed. Since the cellular immune system and its mediators play an important role in the inflammation by bacteria that cause endocarditis and septic shock, studies investigating the underlying pathomechanisms are de scribed. Another major topic in this volume is the involvement of the immune system in arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease, which represents an important problem in clinical cardiology. The final chapter addresses the question of therapeutic options, presenting new approaches for a specific and effective therapy based on the current knowledge of immunologically mediated cardiovascular diseases.

The Immunology of Myocarditis

Mechanisms and Genetics of Autoimmunity
Molecular Pathogenesis of Myocarditis and Cardiomyopathy: Analysis of Virus-Receptor Interactions and Tyrosine Phosphorylation Events
Coxsackievirus Genetics and the Cardiovirulent Viral Phenotype
Lessons from Animal Models of Viral Myocarditis
The Role of Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Myocarditis
The Role of Heart Infiltrating Cells in Myocyte Injury
The Significance of T Cell Responses in Human Myocarditis
The Possible Pathogenic Role of Autoantibodies in Myocarditis and Dilated Cardiomyopathy
The Adenine Nucleotide Translocator: A Major Autoantigen in Myocarditis and Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Immunohistochemical Analysis of Inflammatory Heart Disease
Immunological Mediators in Inflammation of the Heart
Adhesion Molecule Induction and Expression in Neutrophil-Induced Myocardial Injury
Molecular Mechanisms of Adhesion of Staphylococcus Aureus to Cardiac Surfaces and Vegetations
Endotoxins as Potential Mediators of Myocardial Depression
Immunological Mediators in Arteriosclerosis
Transplant Associated Coronary Artery Disease
Role of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Organ Transplantation
The Role of NO Synthases in Immunological Diseases: Importance for Left Ventricular Function
The Role of the Endothelium in Atherosclerosis
Immune and Inflammatory Responses in the Human Atherosclerotic Plaque
Inflammation in Acute Coronary Syndromes
Immunological Mechanisms in Myocardial Reperfusion Injury
Metalloproteinases and Atherosclerotic Plaque Rupture
Potential Role of Human Cytomegalovirus and Its Interaction with p53 in Coronary Restenosis
Therapeutic Approaches for Immune-Mediated Cardiovascular Diseases
Protective Effects of Monoclonal Antibodies to Cell Adhesion Glycoproteins in Models of Cardiac Reperfusion Injury and Leukocyte/Vascular Responses
Prevention of Arterial Restenosis of Rapamycin and Mycophenolate Mofetil: A New Role for Novel Immunosuppressants in the Prevention of Post-Balloon Angioplasty Restenosis?
Treatment of Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy with Corticosteroids
The Genetics of Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Mechanisms of Allograft Rejection and Therapeutic Options.