Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the predominant immunoglobulin at mucosal surfaces and in external secretions. It has multifaceted functions ranging from neutralizing toxins and viruses, preventing colonization of pathogenic bacteria, removing unwanted particles, promoting sampling of luminal antigens, and maintaining a diverse healthy microbiome. In serum, IgA is the second most abundant antibody, but its exact functions are relatively unexplored and ill-understood.
Several IgA receptors have been described, of which the IgA Fc receptor FcaRI (CD89) is the best characterized. Binding of IgA to FcaRI can initiate either pro- or anti-inflammatory responses. Interaction of monomeric IgA with FcaRI induces inhibitory signals, suggesting preservation of homeostatic conditions. By contrast, IgA immune complexes like IgA-opsonized bacteria induce potent pro-inflammatory responses by cross-linking of FcaRI on myeloid cells, which supports an active role in preventing and fighting infections.
(Auto-) IgA is furthermore generated in multiple autoimmune diseases or during chronic inflammation, but the contribution of IgA -mediated pathology is still poorly understood.
In spite of recent advances in the field IgA is still mostly considered as a mainly passive molecule involved in mucosal immunity. Consequently, the possibility that IgA can exert potent protective effector functions or by contrast can cause pathology in systemic infections or in autoimmunity is generally overlooked, exemplified by the lack of diagnostic tools to detect the presence of auto- (IgA). In this collection we aim to create awareness of the importance of IgA by providing a comprehensive understanding of the diverse functions of IgA, and its impact on infection, chronic inflammation, or autoimmunity.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and perspective articles to cover the following specific questions:
- IgA antibody and B cell repertoires
- IgA structure and biology
- Fc?RI or other IgA receptors
- The role of IgA in infection
- The contribution of IgA to chronic inflammation or autoimmunity
- Auto-IgA as a biomarker for disease severity
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the predominant immunoglobulin at mucosal surfaces and in external secretions. It has multifaceted functions ranging from neutralizing toxins and viruses, preventing colonization of pathogenic bacteria, removing unwanted particles, promoting sampling of luminal antigens, and maintaining a diverse healthy microbiome. In serum, IgA is the second most abundant antibody, but its exact functions are relatively unexplored and ill-understood.
Several IgA receptors have been described, of which the IgA Fc receptor FcaRI (CD89) is the best characterized. Binding of IgA to FcaRI can initiate either pro- or anti-inflammatory responses. Interaction of monomeric IgA with FcaRI induces inhibitory signals, suggesting preservation of homeostatic conditions. By contrast, IgA immune complexes like IgA-opsonized bacteria induce potent pro-inflammatory responses by cross-linking of FcaRI on myeloid cells, which supports an active role in preventing and fighting infections.
(Auto-) IgA is furthermore generated in multiple autoimmune diseases or during chronic inflammation, but the contribution of IgA -mediated pathology is still poorly understood.
In spite of recent advances in the field IgA is still mostly considered as a mainly passive molecule involved in mucosal immunity. Consequently, the possibility that IgA can exert potent protective effector functions or by contrast can cause pathology in systemic infections or in autoimmunity is generally overlooked, exemplified by the lack of diagnostic tools to detect the presence of auto- (IgA). In this collection we aim to create awareness of the importance of IgA by providing a comprehensive understanding of the diverse functions of IgA, and its impact on infection, chronic inflammation, or autoimmunity.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and perspective articles to cover the following specific questions:
- IgA antibody and B cell repertoires
- IgA structure and biology
- Fc?RI or other IgA receptors
- The role of IgA in infection
- The contribution of IgA to chronic inflammation or autoimmunity
- Auto-IgA as a biomarker for disease severity