IgA responses in the intestinal mucosa against pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms.
IgA is the most abundant immunoglobulin produced in mammals; most is secreted as a dimer across mucous membranes. This review discusses the different mechanisms of induction of IgA, and its role in protecting mucosal surfaces against pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms.
Macpherson
A J
AJ
Institute of Experimental Immunology, Universitätsspital, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, CH8091, Zürich, Switzerland. amacpher@pathol.unizh.ch
Hunziker
L
L
McCoy
K
K
Lamarre
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D001646:Bile / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017578:Immunoglobulin Class Switching; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D008892:Milk / Q000276:immunology; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology
D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory