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Inhibitory receptors and allergy.
1Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. hrkatz@mbcrr.harvard.edu
Current Opinion in Immunology
|November 5, 2002
Summary
Deficiencies in inhibitory surface receptors on immune cells contribute to allergic inflammation. Restoring these suppressive pathways may offer new therapeutic strategies for allergies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
Background:
- Allergic inflammation involves mast cells and basophils.
- Surface receptors regulate the release of inflammatory mediators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of inhibitory surface receptors in allergic responses.
- To explore the link between receptor deficiencies and allergic disease.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies of cell types involved in allergic inflammation.
- In vivo analyses of animal models deficient in specific inhibitory receptors (FcγRIIB, gp49B1, PIR-B).
Main Results:
- Identified a large number of inhibitory surface receptors on immune cells.
- Demonstrated that deficiencies in receptors like FcγRIIB, gp49B1, and PIR-B enhance allergic responses in vivo.
- Showed that these receptors suppress adaptive immune responses.
Conclusions:
- Allergic diseases result from both excessive cell activation and insufficient suppression by inhibitory receptors.
- Deficiencies in suppressive receptors are a key factor in allergic inflammation.
- Targeting these receptors could be a novel therapeutic approach for allergies.