The multiple facets of FcRn in immunity.
The neonatal Fc receptor, FcRn, is best known for its role in transporting IgG in various tissues, providing newborns with humoral immunity, and for prolonging the half-life of IgG. Recent findings implicate the involvement of FcRn in a far wider range of biological and immunological processes, as FcRn has been found to bind and extend the half-life of albumin; to be involved in IgG transport and antigen sampling at mucosal surfaces; and to be crucial for efficient IgG-mediated phagocytosis. Herein, the function of FcRn will be reviewed, with emphasis on its recently documented significance for IgG polymorphisms affecting the half-life and biodistribution of IgG3, on its role in phagocyte biology, and the subsequent role for the presentation of antigens to lymphocytes.
Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Nigel M
NM
Stapleton
Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Helga K
HK
Einarsdóttir
Gelre Ziekenhuizen, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.
Annette M
AM
Stemerding
Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Gestur
G
Vidarsson
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D021381:Protein Transport; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D057900:Transcytosis
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011961:Receptors, Fc; C100688:Fc receptor, neonatal
FcRn; half-life; myeloid cells; neonatal Fc receptor; phagocytosis