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The function and regulation of immunoglobulin D
1Immunology Institute, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave, L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Current Opinion in Immunology
|March 1, 2011
Summary
Immunoglobulin D (IgD) plays a crucial role in mucosal immunity and innate immune cell activation, functioning as an ancient surveillance system. Its dysregulation is linked to autoinflammatory disorders like hyper-IgD syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Immunoglobulin D (IgD) is found in ancient vertebrates, suggesting conserved immunological functions from fish to humans.
- A unique class-switching mechanism generates IgD-secreting B cells in the human respiratory tract, targeting bacteria.
- IgD-expressing B cells circulate, potentially activating innate immune cells like basophils.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the evolutionary significance and immunological functions of IgD.
- To investigate the non-canonical IgM to IgD class switching in mucosal B cells.
- To explore IgD's role in innate immunity and its connection to inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of IgD in ancient vertebrates.
- Characterization of B cell class switching in human respiratory mucosa.
- Studies on IgD-mediated activation of basophils and innate immune cells.
- Investigation of IgD pathway dysregulation in autoinflammatory disorders.
Main Results:
- IgD has been evolutionarily conserved for key immune functions.
- Non-canonical IgM to IgD class switching generates IgD-secreting B cells that bind respiratory pathogens.
- Circulating IgD-switched B cells can activate innate immune cells via secreted IgD.
- Cross-linking IgD on basophils triggers the release of inflammatory mediators.
- Dysregulation of this IgD pathway is implicated in hyper-IgD syndrome.
Conclusions:
- IgD orchestrates an ancient immune surveillance system at the host-pathogen interface.
- IgD contributes to both mucosal immunity and innate immune cell activation.
- Understanding IgD's role is critical for autoinflammatory disease research.
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