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This volume constitutes. in part. the proceedings of the symposium on'Cell-Cell Interaction and Release of Inflammatory Mediators'organized by Drs. Patrick Y-K Wong and Charles N. Serhan and presented at the FASEB meeting in Washington. D.C. in April. 1990. It contains chapters by the symposium speakers as well as contributions from investigators in this field. Readers will find exciting advances in this volume. which contains chapters dedicated to state-of-the-art knowledge in the field of Cell-Cell Interaction and the functions of released mediators in inflammatory diseases. This book includes'cutting edge'investigations on transcellular eicosanoid biosynthesis. cytokines. PAF, and adhesion as well as interactions of inflammatory cells with endothe 1 i um. 1 ung • and kidney. A 1 so. the contro 1 and regu 1 at ion of renal function by lipid mediators generated during cell-cell i nteracti ons between rena 1 mesangi a 1 cells and 1 eukocytes has generated insight into the cell biology and regulatory role of these mediators in the kidney. Moreover. the relationship between these areas is discussed in sequelae of both asthmatic and renal diseases. We hope that some of the enthusiasm and excitement present in this research are also evident here and that this volume will serve as a reference for researchers. teachers. and students to survey thi s rapidly growing field.

This volume in the Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology Series is dedicated to developing an overall view of the'state-of­ the-art'of knowledge in the field of phospholipase A2 and to exploring the role and function of this enzyme in various inflammatory diseases. This book grew out of two major symposia on phospholipase A2 held in 1989: I).'Phospholipase A2: Pathophysiological Role of Soluble and Membrane-Bound Enzymes'organized by Dr. Doug Morgan and Dr. Ann Welton of Hoffmann-La Roche and sponsored by the New York Academy of Sciences (January 24, 1989). II).'Release and Function of Phospholipase A2 from Inflammatory Cells'organized by Dr. Patrick Wong and Dr. Edward Dennis at the FASEB meeting in New Orleans (March 22, 1989). Readers will find exciting advances in our understanding of the structure, function and molecular biology of phospholipase A2 research which is presented in this volume. The elucidation of gene structures of phospholipase A2 should lead to new insights and new approches in the control and regulation of the enzyme activity. This is primary to better understanding the function of phospholipase A2 and the determination of its activity in cellular and animal systems. Of great importance is the development of animal models for inflammatory disease in order to evaluate the role of phospholipase A2 and its inhibitors. We are convinced that this volume will be an excellent reference that surveys this field in which numerous investigators are currently actively at work.