The Pigmentary System: Physiology and Pathophysiology [Hardcover]

James J. Nordlund (Editor), Raymond E. Boissy (Editor), Vincent J. Hearing (Editor), Richard A. King (Editor), Jean-Paul Ortonne (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195098617 | ISBN-13: 978-0195098617 | Publication Date: January 15, 1998 | Edition: 1st

Our knowledge about the function of the melanocyte has expanded beyond boundaries not previously imagined. The melanocyte is no longer considered merely a factory for the production of the pigment melanin. Old data do not contradict the new but must be reinterpreted in light of modern concepts of molecular and cellular biology, enzymology, biochemistry, chemistry, and physics. Diseases of the pigmentary system must be understood in terms of modern science. The editors, each with special knowledge of the pigmentary system, have combined their expertise and talents to produce a book that will serve as the ultimate resource for the study of all aspects of pigment cell biology. There is no comprehensive, scholarly reference available which compiles both old and new data into a single source. This book fills that void. There are monographs to assist dermatologists caring for individuals with disorders of pigmentation, and textbooks with an introductory chapter on the physiology of pigmentation and a clinical chapter on the disorders manifested by common abnormalities of the pigmentary system. These resources continue to be invaluable, however they are written for a specific type and level of audience. This volume is encyclopedic in scope, so that the biologist, chemist, cosmetic scientist, and clinician, whether novice or sophisticated expert, can peruse any section of the book with confidence that it contains most of the worlds knowledge on pigmentation, including historical work. The bibliographies are also prepared to be as comprehensive and all-inclusive as possible. The first part of the book brings together the molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, and physiology of the normal melanocyte as known in the 1990s. The second part continues this theme, presenting a comprehensive discussion of most disorders of pigmentation described to date. Information about pathophysiology, treatment and other clinical data is included. The goal of the editors is to provide the ultimate reference for practicing physicians who care for patients with the rarest or most common disorders of pigmentation, the laboratory scientist studying disease in order to help the study of basic processes which affect the pigmentary system, and the cosmetic scientist who seeks comprehensive information on the pharmacopoeia available for treating pigmentary disorders. All specialists interested in some aspect of the pigmentary system can seek current answers to questions related to their work.

Editorial Reviews

From The New England Journal of Medicine

Nature has long had an intense interest in pigmentation. The innumerable variations in pigment across biologic species have important social and cosmetic roles. Pigmentation protects us from the sun, and for many amphibians, reptiles, fish, and mammals, pigmentation provides camouflage from predators.

This book is the first comprehensive treatise on pigmentation that combines its physiology in animals with its pathophysiology and clinical aspects in humans. The five editors have provided an opportunity for the leading investigators in pigmentation to show their stuff. The editors and authors have succeeded in presenting a thorough work. The book begins with an informative history of the science of pigmentation, from which one learns that the correct explanation for the differences in color among races has been determined more recently than might be imagined. A discussion of the cell biology of pigmentation follows. This section includes advances that allowed for the culturing of pigment cells from several species, providing tools for pigmentation researchers and others. One of the best chapters in the book tells why the molecular biology of genes involved in and controlling pigmentation is currently in the scientific limelight. This chapter leads to an extensive discussion of the current status of genes and pigment cells, including the chemistry of pigment molecules and the enzymology of pigment pathways.

The discussion of the pathophysiology of pigmentation and descriptions of clinical disorders take up 27 chapters, including almost 150 subchapters. Are there really that many disorders of pigmentation? A little reflection reveals why the answer is yes. All the conditions involve the melanocyte in some fashion. This cell had to migrate from the neural crest to its appropriate place in the skin and is affected by autocrine signals, signals from neighboring nonmelanocytes, drugs, sunlight, and other factors. The road that melanocytes take to perform their normal function thus has many checkpoints, which can be interrupted, with resulting alterations in melanocyte function. In some conditions, such as piebaldism, the genetic defect is known but how this alteration leads to the clinical entity is less clear. In most of the other conditions, excellent clinical descriptions are provided, but the mechanisms causing the disorders are less clear. As the function of individual genes and how they work in aggregate is determined, the pathophysiology of pigmentary disorders will be clarified.

The writing style varies from one chapter to another, and in a few chapters, the grammar is unacceptable. Duplication of information occurs often. This may be useful if one is using the book as a reference work but is irritating when the book is viewed more broadly. The color photographs are valuable and nicely reproduced. The same cannot be said of the photographs in black and white. One picture is reproduced in color in one section and in black and white in another. The difference in quality is readily apparent.

This book contains a large amount of information on pigmentation. Who will want it? Its usefulness in everyday practice will be limited, but it will be a handsome addition to a library. From a clinical standpoint, the book will perhaps be most valuable to pediatric dermatologists. It will appeal to investigators in pigmentation and serve as an important reference work for those in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Fewer than 30 of the approximately 1000 pages in this book deal with the treatment of conditions that affect the pigmentary system. This is unfortunate, but it reflects the dearth of information about controlling the melanocyte. Perhaps the dramatic increase in the knowledge gained in the field of pigmentation over the past few decades, which is presented so well in this book, will prompt the research community to think more about novel approaches to the treatment of disorders ranging from benign processes such as "liver spots" and vitiligo to potentially deadly processes such as melanoma.

Reviewed by Ethan A. Lerner, M.D., Ph.D.
Copyright © 1998 Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved. The New England Journal of Medicine is a registered trademark of the MMS.

Review

"This book is the first comprehensive treatise on pigmentation that combines its physiology in animals with its pathophysiology and clinical aspects in humans. The five editors have provided an opportunity for the leading investigators in pigmentation to show their stuff. The editors and authors have succeeded in presenting a thorough work."--The New England Journal of Medicine

"Ihe Pigmentary System: Physiology and Pathophysiology is a large, current, comprehensive and much needed text bringing together practically all aspects of normal pigment cell biology and ean extremely detailed presentation of most pigmentary disorders. The five editors, all well known in the pigment field, have brought together 104 other contributors to produce a pigment encyclopedia that is useful to the biologist, the chemist, the cosmetic scientist and to the clinician....this exellent current encyclopedia of the biology of pigment cells and their disorders should be on the bookshelf of anyone interested in this exciting field."-- Journal of Pigment Cell Research

"This is a comprehensive textbook on pigmentation. The editors, together with more than 100 contributors, integrated virtually all current knowledge of the pigmentary system into a volume encyclopedic in scope."--Archives of Dermatology

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1025 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1st edition (January 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195098617
• ISBN-13: 978-0195098617
• Product Dimensions: 14.2 x 14 x 2.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,775,758 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)