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Updated: May 29, 2026
07:35
Double Labeling Immunofluorescence using Antibodies from the Same Species to Study Host-Pathogen Interactions
Published on: July 10, 2021
A conserved host and pathogen recognition site on immunoglobulins: structural and functional aspects
Bruce D Wines1, Halina M Trist, William Farrugia
1Centre for Immunology, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia. bwines@burnet.edu.au
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|September 28, 2011
Summary
Pathogen proteins target a common site on immunoglobulin Fc regions, crucial for host immunity and pathogen evasion. Understanding these interactions reveals potential virulence mechanisms affecting innate and adaptive immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Structural Biology
- Molecular Recognition
Background:
- A conserved region in the constant (Fc) part of immunoglobulins serves as a binding site for host receptors and is targeted by pathogen proteins.
- This site, located at the junction of antibody heavy chain constant domains (CH2 and CH3 in IgG/IgA, CH3 and CH4 in IgM), forms a shallow cavity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structural and functional aspects of molecular recognition at the common Fc site by host and pathogen molecules.
- To explore how pathogen interactions with this site may influence host immunity and virulence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of crystal structures of immunoglobulin Fc complexes with various ligands.
- Review of existing literature on host-pathogen interactions at the Fc region.
Main Results:
- Structural data exists for IgG-Fc and IgA-Fc complexes with diverse host, pathogen, and in vitro selected ligands.
- Pathogen proteins may evade host immunity by directly blocking Fc interactions.
- Pathogen molecules likely interact with other host factors for their biological functions.
Conclusions:
- Pathogen proteins exploit a common molecular site on immunoglobulin Fc regions for immune evasion.
- These interactions may promote pathogen virulence by modulating the bridge between innate and adaptive immunity.
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