1 Interleukin-1 in the Acute Phase Response -- The Acute Phase Response -- Structure of IL-1 -- Synthesis and Regulation of IL-1 -- IL-1 Receptor -- Pleotropic Actions of IL-1 -- IL-1 and Acute Phase Reactions -- IL-1 and Other Cytokines -- In Vivo Action of IL-1 -- Summary -- 2 Regulation of Human SAA Gene Expression by Cytokines -- In Vitro Expression of Human SAA -- Cis-acting Sequences Responsible for PMA Induction of SAA -- Cytokine Control of SAA Expression -- 3 Transcriptional Regulation of Acute Phase Response Genes with Emphasis on the Human C-reactive Protein Gene -- The Physiological Role of the Acute Phase Response -- Systems for the Study of the Acute Phase Response -- Monokines Responsible for the Modulation of Liver-specific Gene Expression -- Transcriptional Regulation โ{128}{148} the Mechanism -- Conclusions and Perspectives -- 4 Organization, Structure and Expression of Pentraxin Genes -- The Structure of Pentraxin Proteins -- The Structure of Pentraxin Genes -- Elements Responding to Cytokines -- Genetics -- 5 ApoSSA: Structure, Tissue Expression and Possible Functions -- SAA is an Apolipoprotein -- Where are SAAs Made and Where do They go? -- 6 Regulation of Biosynthesis and Secretion of Human C-reactive Protein and Serum Amyloid A -- Regulation of Biosynthesis -- Heterogeneity in the Acute Phase Response -- Regulation of CRP Secretion -- CRP is Specifically Retained Within the Endoplasmic Reticulum -- Conclusions -- 7 Molecular Regulation of the Acute Phase Complement Proteins -- Factor B -- The Second Component, C2 -- Constitutive Expression of Factor B and C2 -- Regulated Gene Expression -- Interleukin-1 and Interferon-? -- Tumor Necrosis Factor and Interleukin-6 -- Summary -- 8 Biosynthesis of Acute Phase Proteins by the Liver Cells -- Role of Hepatocytes in the In Vivo Biosynthesis of APR -- Role of Sinusoidal Cells in the In Vivo Biosynthesis of APR -- Summary -- 9 The Plasma Serine Protease Inhibitors (Serpins): Structural Modifications in Inflammation -- The Serpins -- Antitrypsin -- The Reactive Centre -- The SR Conformational Change -- Other Structural Modifications in Inflammation -- Conclusions -- 10 The Three Dimensional Structure of SAP -- 11 Structure, Metabolism and Function of Acute Phase High Density Lipoprotein -- Apo-SAA in Plasma -- Structure of Apo-SAA -- Structure of Acute Phase HDL -- Metabolic Function of Normal HDL -- Synthesis of Apo-SAA -- Plasma Clearance of Apo-SAA -- Cellular Association and Degradation of Apo-SAA -- Functions of Apo-SAA -- Concluding Remarks -- 12 Clinical Measurement of Acute Phase Proteins to Detect and Monitor Infectious Diseases -- Microbial Growth and AP Protein Response -- Monitoring Disease Activity Using AP Protein Response -- Immunomodulation and AP Protein Response -- 13 C-reactive Protein: Clinical Aspects -- The Acute Phase Proteins -- The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate as an Indirect Indicator for the Acute Phase Reaction -- C-reactive Protein as a Direct Indicator of the Acute Phase Reaction -- Conclusion -- 14 Pathogenesis of AA Amyloidosis -- Definition and Classification of Amyloidosis -- Serum and Tissue Amyloid A Proteins -- Structure of SAA and AA -- Formation and Deposition of AA Amyloid -- Summary of Some Current Hypotheses Regarding AA Amyloid Formation -- 15 Serum Amyloid P Component: A Specific Molecular Targeting Vehicle in Amyloidosis -- Serum Amyloid P Component -- SAP and Amyloidosis -- Scintigraphic Imaging of Amyloid Deposits In Vivo -- Radiolabeled SAP Studies in Man -- Conclusions