IgA and IgA-specific receptors in human disease: structural and functional insights into pathogenesis and therapeutic potential.
IgA antibodies play an important role in humoral immunity. IgA is the predominant antibody in mucosal secretions and the second most prevalent in the serum. It occupies a unique position among human antibodies in that it can both trigger and suppress inflammatory responses, depending on the situation. Recent structural and functional studies have revealed details of the structure of IgA and its interaction with key cell-surface receptors. We look at the role IgA and IgA receptors (particularly FcalphaRI) play in the pathogenesis of diseases such as IgA nephropathy and other autoimmune conditions. Finally, we address the potential of IgA as a therapeutic tool to either trigger specific inflammatory responses to destroy target cells or suppress inflammatory responses in the case of autoimmune diseases, and the promise of mucosal vaccines for eliciting specific IgA responses to pathogens in mucosal environments.
Gomes
Michelle M
MM
Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0524, USA, Andrew.Herr@UC.edu.
Herr
Andrew B
AB
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface