Activating and inhibitory FcgammaRs in autoimmune disorders.
Autoimmune disorders are characterized by the destruction of self-tissues by the immune system. Multiple checkpoints are in place to prevent autoreactivity under normal circumstances. Coexpression of activating and inhibitory Fc receptors (FcR) represents such a checkpoint by establishing a threshold for immune cell activation. In many human autoimmune diseases, however, balanced FcR expression is disturbed. Analysis of murine model systems provides strong evidence that aberrant FcR expression can result in uncontrolled immune responses and the initiation of autoimmune disease. This review will summarize this data and explain how this information might be used to better understand human autoimmune diseases and to develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Nimmerjahn
Falk
F
Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10021, USA, nimmerf@rockefeller.edu.
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000378:metabolism; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000276:immunology; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000276:immunology
D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017452:Receptors, IgG