Molecular Basis of Cardiovascular Diseases: Implications of Natriuretic Peptides

Molecular Basis of Cardiovascular Diseases: Implications of Natriuretic Peptides

Author: Speranza Rubattu

Publisher: MDPI

Published: 2019-10-21

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 3039215825

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The natriuretic peptides (NPs) family includes a class of hormones and their receptors needed for the physiological control of cardiovascular functions. The discovery of NPs provided a fundamental contribution into our understanding of the physiological regulation of blood pressure, and of heart and kidney functions. NPs have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. A fine comprehension of the molecular mechanisms dependent from NPs and underlying the promotion of cardiovascular damage has contributed to improve our understanding of the molecular basis of all major CVDs. Finally, the opportunity to target NPs in order to develop new therapeutic tools for a better treatment of CVDs has been developed over the years. The current Special Issue of the Journal covers all major aspects of the molecular implications of NPs in physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular system, including NP-based therapeutic approaches.


Book Synopsis Molecular Basis of Cardiovascular Diseases: Implications of Natriuretic Peptides by : Speranza Rubattu

Download or read book Molecular Basis of Cardiovascular Diseases: Implications of Natriuretic Peptides written by Speranza Rubattu and published by MDPI. This book was released on 2019-10-21 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The natriuretic peptides (NPs) family includes a class of hormones and their receptors needed for the physiological control of cardiovascular functions. The discovery of NPs provided a fundamental contribution into our understanding of the physiological regulation of blood pressure, and of heart and kidney functions. NPs have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. A fine comprehension of the molecular mechanisms dependent from NPs and underlying the promotion of cardiovascular damage has contributed to improve our understanding of the molecular basis of all major CVDs. Finally, the opportunity to target NPs in order to develop new therapeutic tools for a better treatment of CVDs has been developed over the years. The current Special Issue of the Journal covers all major aspects of the molecular implications of NPs in physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular system, including NP-based therapeutic approaches.


Molecular Basis of Cardiovascular Diseases: Implications of Natriuretic Peptides

Molecular Basis of Cardiovascular Diseases: Implications of Natriuretic Peptides

Author: Speranza Rubattu

Publisher:

Published: 2019

Total Pages: 1

ISBN-13: 9783039215836

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The natriuretic peptides (NPs) family includes a class of hormones and their receptors needed for the physiological control of cardiovascular functions. The discovery of NPs provided a fundamental contribution into our understanding of the physiological regulation of blood pressure, and of heart and kidney functions. NPs have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. A fine comprehension of the molecular mechanisms dependent from NPs and underlying the promotion of cardiovascular damage has contributed to improve our understanding of the molecular basis of all major CVDs. Finally, the opportunity to target NPs in order to develop new therapeutic tools for a better treatment of CVDs has been developed over the years. The current Special Issue of the Journal covers all major aspects of the molecular implications of NPs in physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular system, including NP-based therapeutic approaches.


Book Synopsis Molecular Basis of Cardiovascular Diseases: Implications of Natriuretic Peptides by : Speranza Rubattu

Download or read book Molecular Basis of Cardiovascular Diseases: Implications of Natriuretic Peptides written by Speranza Rubattu and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 1 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The natriuretic peptides (NPs) family includes a class of hormones and their receptors needed for the physiological control of cardiovascular functions. The discovery of NPs provided a fundamental contribution into our understanding of the physiological regulation of blood pressure, and of heart and kidney functions. NPs have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. A fine comprehension of the molecular mechanisms dependent from NPs and underlying the promotion of cardiovascular damage has contributed to improve our understanding of the molecular basis of all major CVDs. Finally, the opportunity to target NPs in order to develop new therapeutic tools for a better treatment of CVDs has been developed over the years. The current Special Issue of the Journal covers all major aspects of the molecular implications of NPs in physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular system, including NP-based therapeutic approaches.


Natriuretic Peptides

Natriuretic Peptides

Author: Kailash N. Pandey

Publisher: Nova Science Publishers

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781633210806

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This book provides the current knowledge and recent developments to navigate cellular, molecular, and clinical aspects of natriuretic peptides and their receptors in health and disease. State-of-the-art technology in cell and molecular biology has been applied to delineate the expression, function, and regulation of natriuretic peptides and their receptors both in vitro and in vivo model systems. Transgenic and gene-targeted mouse models have clearly demonstrated that the absence of functional natriuretic peptides and/or their cognate receptors cannot only raise blood pressure but also cause severe hypertensive heart, similar to what is seen in untreated human hypertensive patients. The genetically engineered mouse models have been useful to reveal not only the actual functions of the genes for natriuretic peptides and their receptors, but more critically their modifying interactions with other genes. This book presents a comprehensive look at the past developments, current status, and future prospects of the natriuretic peptides and their receptor systems in bedside diagnosis, treatments, and therapeutic advancements. The book comprises of fourteen chapters from eminent scientists in their area of research expertise, and presents a wide range of reviews spanning the research works done on the natriuretic peptides and their receptors. Each chapter provides a comprehensive summary covering the aspects of physiology, molecular biology, and clinical implication of the accomplished experimental findings and future perspectives of research to be performed in this vital and important cardiovascular field. It is expected that this book will provide readers a focused overview of the status and perspectives of the natriuretic peptides and their receptors from the past accomplishments to exciting future investigations.


Book Synopsis Natriuretic Peptides by : Kailash N. Pandey

Download or read book Natriuretic Peptides written by Kailash N. Pandey and published by Nova Science Publishers. This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides the current knowledge and recent developments to navigate cellular, molecular, and clinical aspects of natriuretic peptides and their receptors in health and disease. State-of-the-art technology in cell and molecular biology has been applied to delineate the expression, function, and regulation of natriuretic peptides and their receptors both in vitro and in vivo model systems. Transgenic and gene-targeted mouse models have clearly demonstrated that the absence of functional natriuretic peptides and/or their cognate receptors cannot only raise blood pressure but also cause severe hypertensive heart, similar to what is seen in untreated human hypertensive patients. The genetically engineered mouse models have been useful to reveal not only the actual functions of the genes for natriuretic peptides and their receptors, but more critically their modifying interactions with other genes. This book presents a comprehensive look at the past developments, current status, and future prospects of the natriuretic peptides and their receptor systems in bedside diagnosis, treatments, and therapeutic advancements. The book comprises of fourteen chapters from eminent scientists in their area of research expertise, and presents a wide range of reviews spanning the research works done on the natriuretic peptides and their receptors. Each chapter provides a comprehensive summary covering the aspects of physiology, molecular biology, and clinical implication of the accomplished experimental findings and future perspectives of research to be performed in this vital and important cardiovascular field. It is expected that this book will provide readers a focused overview of the status and perspectives of the natriuretic peptides and their receptors from the past accomplishments to exciting future investigations.


Natriuretic Peptides

Natriuretic Peptides

Author: Kailash N. Pandey

Publisher:

Published: 2014-06-04

Total Pages: 357

ISBN-13: 9781633210837

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This book provides the current knowledge and recent developments to navigate cellular, molecular, and clinical aspects of natriuretic peptides and their receptors in health and disease. State-of-the-art technology in cell and molecular biology has been applied to delineate the expression, function, and regulation of natriuretic peptides and their receptors both in vitro and in vivo model systems. Transgenic and gene-targeted mouse models have clearly demonstrated that the absence of functional natriuretic peptides and/or their cognate receptors cannot only raise blood pressure but also cause severe hypertensive heart, similar to what is seen in untreated human hypertensive patients. The genetically engineered mouse models have been useful to reveal not only the actual functions of the genes for natriuretic peptides and their receptors, but more critically their modifying interactions with other genes. This book presents a comprehensive look at the past developments, current status, and future prospects of the natriuretic peptides and their receptor systems in bedside diagnosis, treatments, and therapeutic advancements. The book comprises of fourteen chapters from eminent scientists in their area of research expertise, and presents a wide range of reviews spanning the research works done on the natriuretic peptides and their receptors. Each chapter provides a comprehensive summary covering the aspects of physiology, molecular biology, and clinical implication of the accomplished experimental findings and future perspectives of research to be performed in this vital and important cardiovascular field. It is expected that this book will provide readers a focused overview of the status and perspectives of the natriuretic peptides and their receptors from the past accomplishments to exciting future investigations.


Book Synopsis Natriuretic Peptides by : Kailash N. Pandey

Download or read book Natriuretic Peptides written by Kailash N. Pandey and published by . This book was released on 2014-06-04 with total page 357 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides the current knowledge and recent developments to navigate cellular, molecular, and clinical aspects of natriuretic peptides and their receptors in health and disease. State-of-the-art technology in cell and molecular biology has been applied to delineate the expression, function, and regulation of natriuretic peptides and their receptors both in vitro and in vivo model systems. Transgenic and gene-targeted mouse models have clearly demonstrated that the absence of functional natriuretic peptides and/or their cognate receptors cannot only raise blood pressure but also cause severe hypertensive heart, similar to what is seen in untreated human hypertensive patients. The genetically engineered mouse models have been useful to reveal not only the actual functions of the genes for natriuretic peptides and their receptors, but more critically their modifying interactions with other genes. This book presents a comprehensive look at the past developments, current status, and future prospects of the natriuretic peptides and their receptor systems in bedside diagnosis, treatments, and therapeutic advancements. The book comprises of fourteen chapters from eminent scientists in their area of research expertise, and presents a wide range of reviews spanning the research works done on the natriuretic peptides and their receptors. Each chapter provides a comprehensive summary covering the aspects of physiology, molecular biology, and clinical implication of the accomplished experimental findings and future perspectives of research to be performed in this vital and important cardiovascular field. It is expected that this book will provide readers a focused overview of the status and perspectives of the natriuretic peptides and their receptors from the past accomplishments to exciting future investigations.


Acute Heart Failure

Acute Heart Failure

Author: Alexandre Mebazaa

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2009-12-24

Total Pages: 922

ISBN-13: 1846287820

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For many years, there has been a great deal of work done on chronic congestive heart failure while acute heart failure has been considered a difficult to handle and hopeless syndrome. However, in recent years acute heart failure has become a growing area of study and this is the first book to cover extensively the diagnosis and management of this complex condition. The book reflects the considerable amounts of new data reported and many new concepts which have been proposed in the last 3-4 years looking at the epidemiology, diagnostic and treatment of acute heart failure.


Book Synopsis Acute Heart Failure by : Alexandre Mebazaa

Download or read book Acute Heart Failure written by Alexandre Mebazaa and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2009-12-24 with total page 922 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For many years, there has been a great deal of work done on chronic congestive heart failure while acute heart failure has been considered a difficult to handle and hopeless syndrome. However, in recent years acute heart failure has become a growing area of study and this is the first book to cover extensively the diagnosis and management of this complex condition. The book reflects the considerable amounts of new data reported and many new concepts which have been proposed in the last 3-4 years looking at the epidemiology, diagnostic and treatment of acute heart failure.


How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease

How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 728

ISBN-13:

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This report considers the biological and behavioral mechanisms that may underlie the pathogenicity of tobacco smoke. Many Surgeon General's reports have considered research findings on mechanisms in assessing the biological plausibility of associations observed in epidemiologic studies. Mechanisms of disease are important because they may provide plausibility, which is one of the guideline criteria for assessing evidence on causation. This report specifically reviews the evidence on the potential mechanisms by which smoking causes diseases and considers whether a mechanism is likely to be operative in the production of human disease by tobacco smoke. This evidence is relevant to understanding how smoking causes disease, to identifying those who may be particularly susceptible, and to assessing the potential risks of tobacco products.


Book Synopsis How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease by :

Download or read book How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease written by and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 728 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report considers the biological and behavioral mechanisms that may underlie the pathogenicity of tobacco smoke. Many Surgeon General's reports have considered research findings on mechanisms in assessing the biological plausibility of associations observed in epidemiologic studies. Mechanisms of disease are important because they may provide plausibility, which is one of the guideline criteria for assessing evidence on causation. This report specifically reviews the evidence on the potential mechanisms by which smoking causes diseases and considers whether a mechanism is likely to be operative in the production of human disease by tobacco smoke. This evidence is relevant to understanding how smoking causes disease, to identifying those who may be particularly susceptible, and to assessing the potential risks of tobacco products.


Heart Development and Disease

Heart Development and Disease

Author: Benoit G. Bruneau

Publisher:

Published: 2020

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9781621823599

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"Development of the heart is a complex process and can lead to serious congenital disease if the process goes awry. This book provides a detailed description of the cell lineages involved in heart development and how their migration and morphogenesis are controlled. It also examines the genetic and environmental bases for congenital heart disease and how model systems are revealing more about the processes involved"--


Book Synopsis Heart Development and Disease by : Benoit G. Bruneau

Download or read book Heart Development and Disease written by Benoit G. Bruneau and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Development of the heart is a complex process and can lead to serious congenital disease if the process goes awry. This book provides a detailed description of the cell lineages involved in heart development and how their migration and morphogenesis are controlled. It also examines the genetic and environmental bases for congenital heart disease and how model systems are revealing more about the processes involved"--


General Methods in Biomarker Research and their Applications

General Methods in Biomarker Research and their Applications

Author: Victor R. Preedy

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2015-08-14

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9789400776951

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In the past decade there has been a major sea change in the way disease is diagnosed and investigated due to the advent of high throughput technologies, such as microarrays, lab on a chip, proteomics, genomics, lipomics, metabolomics etc. These advances have enabled the discovery of new and novel markers of disease relating to autoimmune disorders, cancers, endocrine diseases, genetic disorders, sensory damage, intestinal diseases etc. In many instances these developments have gone hand in hand with the discovery of biomarkers elucidated via traditional or conventional methods, such as histopathology or clinical biochemistry. Together with microprocessor-based data analysis, advanced statistics and bioinformatics these markers have been used to identify individuals with active disease or pathology as well as those who are refractory or have distinguishing pathologies. New analytical methods that have been used to identify markers of disease and is suggested that there may be as many as 40 different platforms. Unfortunately techniques and methods have not been readily transferable to other disease states and sometimes diagnosis still relies on single analytes rather than a cohort of markers. There is thus a demand for a comprehensive and focused evidenced-based text and scientific literature that addresses these issues. Hence the formulation of Biomarkers in Disease. The series covers a wide number of areas including for example, nutrition, cancer, endocrinology, cardiology, addictions, immunology, birth defects, genetics and so on. The chapters are written by national or international experts and specialists.


Book Synopsis General Methods in Biomarker Research and their Applications by : Victor R. Preedy

Download or read book General Methods in Biomarker Research and their Applications written by Victor R. Preedy and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-08-14 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the past decade there has been a major sea change in the way disease is diagnosed and investigated due to the advent of high throughput technologies, such as microarrays, lab on a chip, proteomics, genomics, lipomics, metabolomics etc. These advances have enabled the discovery of new and novel markers of disease relating to autoimmune disorders, cancers, endocrine diseases, genetic disorders, sensory damage, intestinal diseases etc. In many instances these developments have gone hand in hand with the discovery of biomarkers elucidated via traditional or conventional methods, such as histopathology or clinical biochemistry. Together with microprocessor-based data analysis, advanced statistics and bioinformatics these markers have been used to identify individuals with active disease or pathology as well as those who are refractory or have distinguishing pathologies. New analytical methods that have been used to identify markers of disease and is suggested that there may be as many as 40 different platforms. Unfortunately techniques and methods have not been readily transferable to other disease states and sometimes diagnosis still relies on single analytes rather than a cohort of markers. There is thus a demand for a comprehensive and focused evidenced-based text and scientific literature that addresses these issues. Hence the formulation of Biomarkers in Disease. The series covers a wide number of areas including for example, nutrition, cancer, endocrinology, cardiology, addictions, immunology, birth defects, genetics and so on. The chapters are written by national or international experts and specialists.


Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Author: Gianfranco Sinagra

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2019-05-17

Total Pages: 241

ISBN-13: 303013864X

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This open access book presents a comprehensive overview of dilated cardiomyopathy, providing readers with practical guidelines for its clinical management. The first part of the book analyzes in detail the disease’s pathophysiology, its diagnostic work up as well as the prognostic stratification, and illustrates the role of genetics and gene-environment interaction. The second part presents current and future treatment options, highlighting the importance of long-term and individualized treatments and follow-up. Furthermore, it discusses open issues, such as the apparent healing phenomenon, the early prognosis of arrhythmic events or the use of genetic testing in clinical practice. Offering a multidisciplinary approach for optimizing the clinical management of DCM, this book is an invaluable aid not only for the clinical cardiologists, but for all physicians involved in the care of this challenging disease.


Book Synopsis Dilated Cardiomyopathy by : Gianfranco Sinagra

Download or read book Dilated Cardiomyopathy written by Gianfranco Sinagra and published by Springer. This book was released on 2019-05-17 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book presents a comprehensive overview of dilated cardiomyopathy, providing readers with practical guidelines for its clinical management. The first part of the book analyzes in detail the disease’s pathophysiology, its diagnostic work up as well as the prognostic stratification, and illustrates the role of genetics and gene-environment interaction. The second part presents current and future treatment options, highlighting the importance of long-term and individualized treatments and follow-up. Furthermore, it discusses open issues, such as the apparent healing phenomenon, the early prognosis of arrhythmic events or the use of genetic testing in clinical practice. Offering a multidisciplinary approach for optimizing the clinical management of DCM, this book is an invaluable aid not only for the clinical cardiologists, but for all physicians involved in the care of this challenging disease.


Toxins and Hemostasis

Toxins and Hemostasis

Author: R. Manjunatha Kini

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2010-10-19

Total Pages: 790

ISBN-13: 9048192951

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Circulation of blood is vital for the survival of vertebrates, including man. Mainly, it plays an important role in carrying food nutrients and oxygen to every tissue and organ and in removing all waste products and carbon dioxide. Any imbalance in the hemostatic and cardiovascular systems can lead to death and severe debility. A number of animals have developed mechanisms to target these systems and exploit the vulnerability. In some species (for example, snakes), such mechanisms are used to immobilize and kill the victim/prey, whereas in others (for example, insects, such as leaches, mosquitoes and ticks), they are used to provide a continuous supply of blood. These mechanisms include, but are not limited to, procoagulant and anticoagulant actions that affect the coagulation cascade and platelet aggregation, as well as altering vasodilatory responses. In all these various animals, these mechanisms have evolved to perfection over millions of years to support their survival. In last 3-4 decades, due to the efforts of scientists from various backgrounds including biology, protein chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, hematology, and structural biology, significant progress in understanding the structure-function relationships, as well as the mechanism of action have been made in a number of exogenous factors that affect blood coagulation, platelet aggregation and vasodilation from various animals. These exogenous factors have contributed significantly to the development of research tools as well as providing new therapeutic agents. With the increase average age of the population coupled with changes in life style in recent years, there has been a significant increase in cardiovascular and hematological disorders. Thus scientists in both academic institutions as well as the pharmaceutical industry are developing better therapeutic agents to improve the quality of life. This impetus has lead to the search for novel agents from various sources that interfere with cardiovascular and hematalogical processes. Although at first glance exogenous factors appear to function as ‘villains’, several life-saving drugs have been developed based upon these factors. Such drugs or drug leads include those that inhibit the angiotensin converting enzymes (Captopril and Enalapril), that block platelet receptors (Eptifibatide and Tirofiban), or that digest thrombotic plugs (Alfimeprase and bat plasminogen activator) to name a few. Several new and exciting success stories are currently unfolding. In this book, recent studies on some of the exogenous factors that play crucial roles in cardiovascular and hematological disorders are reviewed in order to consolidate the efforts in this area of research and to recruit new, talented researchers. The 25-30 review chapters, each written by experts in their field, compiled herein are devoted to exogenous factors affecting platelet aggregation, anticoagulant and procoagulant proteins, fibrinolytic proteins and hypotensive agents (For details see, Contents of the Book). This book is intended to help to create elevated awareness and enthusiasm in the field of exogenous factors. I believe that this book will provide greater impetus to the search for novel proteins based on naturally occurring exogenous factors. This will be the first book dealing extensively with exogenous factors in the last 25 years. The book will provide a ready reference to the different approaches used to solve complex problems in protein chemistry and pharmacology of exogenous factors. The book will update our understanding of the structure-function relationships and mechanisms of action of exogenous factors and provide great insights into future directions for solving the remaining challenges.


Book Synopsis Toxins and Hemostasis by : R. Manjunatha Kini

Download or read book Toxins and Hemostasis written by R. Manjunatha Kini and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2010-10-19 with total page 790 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Circulation of blood is vital for the survival of vertebrates, including man. Mainly, it plays an important role in carrying food nutrients and oxygen to every tissue and organ and in removing all waste products and carbon dioxide. Any imbalance in the hemostatic and cardiovascular systems can lead to death and severe debility. A number of animals have developed mechanisms to target these systems and exploit the vulnerability. In some species (for example, snakes), such mechanisms are used to immobilize and kill the victim/prey, whereas in others (for example, insects, such as leaches, mosquitoes and ticks), they are used to provide a continuous supply of blood. These mechanisms include, but are not limited to, procoagulant and anticoagulant actions that affect the coagulation cascade and platelet aggregation, as well as altering vasodilatory responses. In all these various animals, these mechanisms have evolved to perfection over millions of years to support their survival. In last 3-4 decades, due to the efforts of scientists from various backgrounds including biology, protein chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, hematology, and structural biology, significant progress in understanding the structure-function relationships, as well as the mechanism of action have been made in a number of exogenous factors that affect blood coagulation, platelet aggregation and vasodilation from various animals. These exogenous factors have contributed significantly to the development of research tools as well as providing new therapeutic agents. With the increase average age of the population coupled with changes in life style in recent years, there has been a significant increase in cardiovascular and hematological disorders. Thus scientists in both academic institutions as well as the pharmaceutical industry are developing better therapeutic agents to improve the quality of life. This impetus has lead to the search for novel agents from various sources that interfere with cardiovascular and hematalogical processes. Although at first glance exogenous factors appear to function as ‘villains’, several life-saving drugs have been developed based upon these factors. Such drugs or drug leads include those that inhibit the angiotensin converting enzymes (Captopril and Enalapril), that block platelet receptors (Eptifibatide and Tirofiban), or that digest thrombotic plugs (Alfimeprase and bat plasminogen activator) to name a few. Several new and exciting success stories are currently unfolding. In this book, recent studies on some of the exogenous factors that play crucial roles in cardiovascular and hematological disorders are reviewed in order to consolidate the efforts in this area of research and to recruit new, talented researchers. The 25-30 review chapters, each written by experts in their field, compiled herein are devoted to exogenous factors affecting platelet aggregation, anticoagulant and procoagulant proteins, fibrinolytic proteins and hypotensive agents (For details see, Contents of the Book). This book is intended to help to create elevated awareness and enthusiasm in the field of exogenous factors. I believe that this book will provide greater impetus to the search for novel proteins based on naturally occurring exogenous factors. This will be the first book dealing extensively with exogenous factors in the last 25 years. The book will provide a ready reference to the different approaches used to solve complex problems in protein chemistry and pharmacology of exogenous factors. The book will update our understanding of the structure-function relationships and mechanisms of action of exogenous factors and provide great insights into future directions for solving the remaining challenges.