IMMUNOGLOBULIN A (IgA) AND ITS RECEPTORS

Abstract

Abstract. Daily IgA production in human organism comprises 3 to 5 g, thus exceeding total synthesis of other Ig classes. IgA in human body is presented by 9 structural variants. Its molecules belong to two subclasses, IgA1 and IgA2, the latter represented by two allotypes. In human serum, IgA1 monomers predominate, that are produced by the bone marrow cells. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues produce dimeric IgA1 and IgA2 molecules containing an accessory polypeptide J-chain. When transported across epithelial layer to the mucosal surface, an extracellular segment of polymeric IgA receptor (pIgAR) is joining the dimeric IgA1, which becomes a ‘secretory’ component being a part cesretory IgA (sIgA) molecule. The main function of sIgA is to bind bacteria and viruses at the mucosal surfaces, thus preventing pathogens to invade the internal spaces of the organism (immune exclusion). If transferred across epithelium, IgA may neutralize the viruses penetrating the cells, like as bind and deliver proteins and other antigens to the mucosal surface. The leukocyte IgA receptor (FcαRI, CD89) is expressed on the neutrophils, eosinophiles, monocytes/macrophages, as well as dendritic and Kupffer cells. The cytoplasmic domain FcαRI is devoid of an activation ITAM motif. To transduce signal, an FcαRI-associated chain of Fcγ receptor is used. Due to this mechanism, IgA binding leads to activation of phagocytosis, endocytosis, antigen presentation, synthesis of proinflammatory mediator and other immune functions. Fcα/μR receptor is a structural homologue of pIgR, and it is able to bind IgA and IgM, being, however, expressed only at the surface of mature B lymphocytes and macrophages. Interaction of IgA with asialoglycoprotein and transferrin (CD71) receptors, like as with some other molecules, that have yet undetermined role in immune defense and development of pathological events.

Keywords

• iga
• receptors
• secretory iga