Role of IgA and IgA fc receptors in inflammation.
BACKGROUND
Signals delivered by serum monomeric IgA (mIgA) are essential in controlling the immune system by preventing the development of autoimmunity and inflammation. However, IgA can also, when aggregated, be deleterious to the host, inducing inflammatory diseases. This Janus-like nature of IgA is mainly due to their heterogeneity in molecular forms and their interaction with IgA receptors.


CONCLUSIONS
While serum mIgA are mainly involved in FcalphaRI-mediated inhibition of immune responses, macromolecular serum IgA or circulating IgA immune complexes are often deleterious to the host by inducing sustained activation through IgA receptors including FcalphaRI and transferrin receptor.


CONCLUSIONS
FcalphaRI-mediated inhibitory function is able to suppress several inflammatory diseases in mice including asthma and glomerulonephritis. Intravenous mIgA (mIgAIV) and anti-FcalphaR monovalent antibodies represent thus promising tools for immunotherapy.
Monteiro
Renato C
RC
Inserm U699, Paris, France. renato.monteiro@inserm.fr
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007105:Immune Complex Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007249:Inflammation; D051379:Mice; D011940:Receptor Aggregation; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000276:immunology*; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D015703:Antigens, CD; C036832:Fc(alpha) receptor; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin