Immune adherence revisited: novel players in an old game.
Erythrocytes bind immune complexes (ICs) composed of antibodies binding their respective antigen (e.g., bacteria, parasites, viruses, or autoantigen) plus complement proteins via complement receptors [immune adherence (IA)]. In vivo studies have shown that erythrocytes act as an inert shuttle, targeting ICs to fixed macrophages in liver and spleen. Here we outline established and emerging implications of IA in health and disease.
Department of Medicine, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA.
Christoph
C
Hess
Jürg A
JA
Schifferli
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D007109:Immunity; D008024:Ligands; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D008024:Ligands; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b; D003165:Complement System Proteins