Advances in Host-Derived Cytotoxic Agents

Dear Colleagues,

During inflammatory response, several host-derived cytotoxic agents contribute to the inactivation of pathogens, recruitment and activation of immune cells, removal of damaged biological material, and de novo synthesis of macromolecules. Important cytotoxic agents are small reactive species, transition metal ions, oxidized heme proteins and free heme, serine proteases, matrix metalloproteases, and pro-inflammatory peptides. In order to prevent cytotoxic effects on healthy cells and tissues, these cytotoxic agents are counterbalanced by numerous protective principles, which are able to inactivate their destructive activities. Any disturbances in the balance between cytotoxic agents and protective mechanisms are associated with the development of chronic inflammatory states and disease progression. Long-lasting and severe inflammatory states can result in damage to unperturbed cells due to the decline, exhaustion, or inactivation of selected antagonizing principles. The overexpression of protective mechanisms markedly diminishes the efficiency of radio- and chemotherapeutic approaches to kill tumor cells.

In this Special Issue, original papers and reviews are highly welcome describing the interplay between host-derived cytotoxic agents and antagonizing principles under pathophysiological conditions. Please do not hesitate to contact me or the Editorial Office if you have any questions.

Thank you very much in advance.

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Arnhold
Guest Editor

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• cytotoxic agents
• antagonizing principles
• inflammation
• disease progression