Klappentext

Interaction of antigen-antibody complexes with cells via specific immunoglobulin Fc receptors (FcR) triggers major immunological reactions such as efficient uptake of antigen, phagocytosis of microorganisms, cytotoxicity towards tumor or virus infected cells, mast cell degranulation and inflammation, etc. This book reviews the FcR for the different immunoglobulin isotypes, focusing on the structural bases of their biological functions, and on the regulation of their expression in physiology and pathology.

Inhalt

1. Structure and Function of Immunoglobulins.- Structural Bases of Antibody Functions.- Immunoglobulin Isotypes.- Biological Functions of Antibodies.- Conclusion.- 2. Structure and Expression of Fc Receptors (FcR).- Nomenclature.- Members of the Immunoglobulin Superfamily.- Members of the Animal Lectin Superfamily.- Fc Receptors on Microorganisms.- 3. Cell Activation Via Fc Receptors.- General View of Cell Activation Through Immunoreceptors.- A Model of FcR with Specific Function: The Fc Receptor for IgE (Fc?RI).- A Model of Multifunctional FcR: The Low Affinity Fc Receptors for IgG (Fc?RII and Fc?RIII).- Specific Functions of Several Fc Receptors.- A Nontypical Fc Receptor: The Low-Affinity Receptor of IgE: (CD23).- 4. Fc?R as Negative Coreceptors.- The Immunoreceptor Family.- Fc?RIIB Inhibits BCR-Mediated B Cell Activation.- Fc?RIIB Inhibits FcR-Mediated Mast Cell Activation.- Fc?RIIB Inhibits TCR-Mediated T Cell Activation.- Fc?RIIB Inhibits Cell Activation by all ITAM-Based Immunoreceptors.- The ITIM Motif.- Biochemical Mechanisms of Negative Regulation by Fc?RIIB.- Biological Significance of Negative Regulation by Fc?RIIB.- Conclusion.- 5. Internalization through Receptors for Immunoglobulins.- Endocytosis.- Phagocytosis.- Transcytosis.- Conclusion.- 6. Soluble Fc Receptors.- Soluble Fc? Receptors (sFc?R).- Soluble Fc?R.- Other Soluble FcR.- 7. Fc Receptors and Pathology.- Genetic Aspects of FcR Expression: Relationship to Diseases.- Membrane-Bound Fc?R Involvement in Autoimmunity and Inflammation.- Soluble Fc?R and Fc?R in Pathology: A Marker with a Diagnosis and/or Prognosis Value?.- Membrane-Bound and Soluble FcR Tools for Immunotherapy?.