Author Description

The International Symposium on the Reticuloendothelial System and Atherosclerosis was held in the Villa Olmo in Como, Italy, from September 8th to 10th, 1966. This volume contains papers presented at the Symposium, which was the Fifth International Symposium on the Reticuloendothelial System.The Symposium was designed to bring together outstanding investigators in various disciplines to present recent developments in the area of reticuloendothelial research and to provide for a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions regarding methodology, morphology, and factors influencing and regulating reticuloendothelial activity. The involvement of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) in host defense and the role of the reticuloendothelial system in lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis were also stressed. The Symposium admirably served to integrate recent knowledge and to stimulate future progress in these areas. A perusal of the table of contents of this book will indicate the versatility, uniqueness, diversity, and multi-potential nature and activity of the reticuloendothelial system. Because of its multiple functions, many scientific disciplines converge on the reticuloendothelial system. This volume proves that the area of participation of the reticuloendothelial cells is so broad as to capture the interest of a wide variety of scientists. Still, the subject to which it is devoted is very young. Less than a century has elapsed since the classic studies of Metchnikoff delineated the role of the fixed phagocytic cell as a major component of the host-defense system, and less than half a century has elapsed since Aschoff united the morphologically distinct groups of cells under the name "reticuloendothelial system" because of their common functional property of phagocytosis. Indeed, the remarkable capacity of these cells to distinguish "self" from "nonself" forms the basic attribute of the reticuloendothelial system and one of the major bases for its investigation.A common method of elucidating the functional activity of an organ or system is to study the effects of its removal on the physiology of the organism. In the case of the macrophage system, this is impossible because of the widespread anatomical distribution of cells comprising the system. Attempts to remove these cells by physically loading them with various inert materials have generally met with failure. Since the agents employed to induce blockade are relatively crude and generally toxic, and since the macrophage cells proliferate, enlarge, and become hyperfunctional very rapidly, the techniques of blockade are fraught with numerous pitfalls. Thus this approach should be abandoned since it has led to fallacious concepts regarding the participation of the reticuloendothelial system in a variety of situations. Because it had not been possible to extirpate the reticuloendothelial system or to induce an effective, nonspecific, and prolonged blockage, knowledge of the multiple contributions of the reticuloendothelial cells has developed only gradually over the past 75 years. However, it is obvious that with the recent development of techniques for measuring reticuloendothelial function and activity, as well as the introduction of purified,-nontoxic chemical agents capable of inducing either reticuloendothelial stimulation or depression, proliferation or atrophy of the system, future progress in research will be rapid.The papers in this volume constitute abroad but well-balanced portrayal of the spectrum of reticuloendothelial involvement. The potential importance of this system in atherogenesis as well as the accent on the possible and provocative immune nature of the atherogenic process are stressed. The newer techniques which are presented will permit the investigation of important clinical and experimental aspects which have hitherto escaped investigation and will contribute to the elucidation of the role of the reticuloendothelial system in health and disease. Indeed, the key to the elimination of many diseases of man may well be found within the cells which comprise this system, as more and more of their diverse and versatile activities become known. Clearly, the reticuloendothelial system is one of the major frontiers in clinical and experimental investigation and fully merits exploration.On behalf of the Advisory Committee, I should like to express our sincerest appreciation to all the participants in the Symposium and the contributing authors for their cooperation.A particular word of thanks goes to Plenum Publishing Company for their splendid work and assistance in publishing the proceedings, which made the editing of this first volume of "Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology" a highly gratifying experience.