title: Intestinal IgA synthesis: regulation of front-line body defences.
abstract: Immunoglobulin A is the most abundant immunoglobulin isotype in mucosal secretions. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of the sites, mechanisms and functions of intestinal IgA synthesis in mice. On the basis of these recent findings, we propose an updated model for the induction and regulation of IgA responses in the gut. In addition, we discuss new insights into the role of IgA in the maintenance of gut homeostasis and into the reciprocal interactions between gut B cells and the bacterial flora.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Sidonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fagarasan
authors.forename: Tasuku
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Honjo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000276:immunology*; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D017578:Immunoglobulin Class Switching / Q000235:genetics; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A