Oxford University Press (2000) 254 pages. ISBN 0-19-963859-4 £29.95
Cytokines are important in the regulation of the immune system, not only controlling growth and differentiation but providing a messaging network through which different components of the immune system can interact. Over the past decade, the number of identified cytokines has expanded enormously - the interleukins alone now number over 20 members. Following the recent publication of the human genome sequence, the number of known cytokines will surely increase dramatically over the next few years. Given the importance of cytokines in the immune system, many of these molecules are being investigated as potential therapeutic targets, and this field of study can only expand in the future. An updated ‘practical approach to cytokine biology’ therefore arrives at an opportune moment.
The latest edition has been split into 2 volumes, Cytokine Cell Biology and Cytokine Molecular Biology. Cytokine Cell Biology covers the techniques necessary to investigate the production and activity of cytokines. Each chapter, either directly or through reference to other chapters, covers the methods required to perform experiments from the initial preparation of cells through to the protocols for assaying cytokine function. Further information about the conditions required for successful cell culture and techniques such as FACS analysis, are also clearly presented, enabling complex experiments to be designed from start to finish. Chapters including detailed assays for the effect of cytokines on the activation, proliferation, migration and cytotoxicity of cells are included, with specific reference to macrophages, B and T lymphocytes. In addition to the study of cytokine function, several chapters deal with methods for the detection of cytokine production. These include protocols for immunohistochemical analysis, ELISA, Elispot and FACS-based assays of cytokines. In areas such as this, it would be beneficial to have access to both the cellular and molecular biology volumes, because the molecular volume contains an excellent chapter detailing additional methods such as RNase protection and RT-PCR for assaying cytokine gene expression.
Cytokine Molecular Biology focuses mainly on the study of cytokine signalling. Several sections describe the expression and purification of cytokine proteins and their use in receptor binding studies. Further chapters provide a broad spectrum of techniques for the study of cytokine receptor signal transduction. The activity of signalling molecules often correlates with their phosphorylation status, and protocols to study the phosphorylation status of signalling molecules such as MAP kinases are detailed. Alternative strategies, such as directly assaying kinase activity with known substrates, the use of chemical inhibitors and the study of transcription factor activation, are also described, with the pros and cons of each method clearly explained. Additional information about the study of lipid-based signal transduction completes a thorough explanation of the techniques required for the study of cytokine signal transduction. Cytokine Molecular Biology finishes with a well-written chapter on the use of transgenesis in the study of cytokines. This chapter details the standard methods for generating transgenic animals, including knockout and conditional knockout techniques. For a more detailed description of the contents of the two books check the publisher’s website at www.oup.co.uk.
In general, both volumes are well written and clearly laid out, with just the right amount of experimental detail and background information. The books do not merely present basic protocols but provide additional information on reagents, equipment and often handy tips with respect to particular reagents or the design of experimental controls. The chapters with which we were already well versed appeared to be complete and well explained. Other chapters on techniques with which we were not familiar proved to be easily accessible, with respect to both the protocols and the background information behind the techniques and the science. We would recommend both of these books to anyone working in the field of cytokines or immunology, and feel buying both together would provide a complete coverage of most of the commonly used techniques in immunology. These books would be extremely useful for both PhD students and postdocs alike - although at £30 each, students may prefer to recommend them to their libraries. In general, if signalling is your thing go for Cytokine Molecular Biology, for the effects of cytokines on cellular behaviour get Cytokine Cell Biology, and if possible get them both.
