It is now over ten years since we edited the first edition of HLA-B27 in the Development of Spondyloarthropathies (SpA). It is obvious that over this period an enormous amount of information concerning SpA and HLA-B27 has accumulated, and this has been reflected in the knowledge of molecular mechanism of the spondyloarthropathies. Discussion for such a book took initial form at the outstanding 4th Gent Symposium on SpA in October 2006, but was not formally commissioned by Landes Bioscience until early 2007. Molecular Mechanisms of Spondyloarthropathies aims to synthesize this growing knowledge and present all the current studies concerning the basic research of SpA.

"It is now over ten years since we edited the first edition of HLA-B27 in the Development of Spondyloarthropathies (SpA). It is obvious that over this period an enormous amount of information concerning SpA and HLA-B27 has accumulated, and this has been reflected in the knowledge of molecular mechanism of the spondyloarthropathies. Discussion for such a book took initial form at the outstanding 4th Gent Symposium on SpA in October 2006, but was not formally commissioned by Landes Bioscience until early 2007. Molecular Mechanisms of Spondyloarthropathies aims to synthesize this growing knowledge and present all the current studies concerning the basic research of SpA.Over the last decade, enormous progress has been made in the understanding of the molecular and cellular processes that lead to disease pathology. Recognition of the pathways involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of disease and the potential to target specific immune effector functions have opened the door to a wide range of innovative treatment opportunities for the SpA. Thus, we believe that the understanding of the specific molecular mechanisms involved would help to design highly specific drugs in the future. The contributors are among the best in their field and reflect the state of the art of research and current opinion of rheumatologists and immunologists."

Clinical Assessment in the Spondyloarthropathies.- Imaging in Spondyloarthritis.- Spondyloarthritis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH) and Chondrocalcinosis.- The Enthesis Organ Concept and Its Relevance to the Spondyloarthropathies.- Synovial and Mucosal Immunopathology in Spondyloarthritis.- Bone Loss in the Spondyloarthropathies: Role of Osteoclast, RANKL, RANK and OPG in the Spondyloarthropathies.- RANKL/RANK as Key Factors for Osteoclast Development and Bone Loss in Arthropathies.- Bone Formation Versus Bone Resorption in Ankylosing Spondylitis.- Biomarkers in Spondyloarthropathies.- Therapy of Spondyloarthritides.- Genomewide Screens in Ankylosing Spondylitis.- Subtypes of HLA-B27: History and Implications in the Pathogenesis of Ankylosing Spondylitis.- Implications of Structural and Thermodynamic Studies of HLA-B27 Subtypes Exhibiting Differential Association with Ankylosing Spondylitis.- HLA-B27-Bound Peptide Repertoires: Their Nature, Origin and Pathogenetic Relevance.- Biochemical Features of HLA-B27 and Antigen Processing.- HLA-B27 Misfolding and Spondyloarthropathies.- HLA-B27 and Host-Pathogen Interaction.- Animal Models of Spondyloarthritis.- T-Cell Responses Against Viral and Self-Epitopes and HLA-B27 Subtypes Differentially Associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis.- Dendritic Cell: T-Cell Interactions in Spondyloarthritis.- The Role of B27 Heavy Chain Dimer Immune Receptor Interactions in Spondyloarthritis.- KIR Genes and Their Role in Spondyloarthropathies.- Innate Immunity of Spondyloarthritis: The Role of Toll-Like Receptors.