title: Novel functions of the polymeric Ig receptor: well beyond transport of immunoglobulins.
abstract: The polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR) ensures efficient secretion of polymeric IgA (pIgA) at mucosal surfaces. On basal to apical transport across epithelial cells, the pIgR extracellular domain is cleaved, releasing secretory component (SC) in association with pIgA. This finds its raison d'être in the recent observation that SC is directly involved in the protective function of secretory IgA. In addition, free SC exhibits scavenger properties with respect to enteric pathogens. However, although pIgR dedicates its life to mucosal protection, it also seems to permit pathogen entrance through the epithelial barrier. The multiple mechanisms that they are involved in make pIgR and SC instrumental to mucosal immunity.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Pathogénie Microbienne Moléculaire, INSERM U 389, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Armelle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phalipon
authors.forename: Blaise
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Corthésy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000378:metabolism; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D019056:Receptors, Polymeric Immunoglobulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012635:Secretory Component / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D019056:Receptors, Polymeric Immunoglobulin; D012635:Secretory Component; C034639:polymeric IgA