Woof Jenny M, Kerr Michael A
Division of Pathology and Neuroscience, University of Dundee Medical School, Ninewells Hospital, UK.
J Pathol. 2006 Jan;208(2):270-82. doi: 10.1002/path.1877.
The vast surfaces of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts represent major sites of potential attack by invading micro-organisms. Immunoglobulin A (IgA), as the principal antibody class in the secretions that bathe these mucosal surfaces, acts as an important first line of defence. IgA, also an important serum immunoglobulin, mediates a variety of protective functions through interaction with specific receptors and immune mediators. The importance of such protection is underlined by the fact that certain pathogens have evolved mechanisms to compromise IgA-mediated defence, providing an opportunity for more effective invasion. IgA function may also be perturbed in certain disease states, some of which are characterized by deposition of IgA in specific tissues. This review details current understanding of the roles played by IgA in both health and disease.
胃肠道、呼吸道和泌尿生殖道的广阔表面是入侵微生物可能攻击的主要部位。免疫球蛋白A（IgA）作为覆盖这些黏膜表面的分泌物中的主要抗体类别，起着重要的第一道防线作用。IgA也是一种重要的血清免疫球蛋白，通过与特定受体和免疫介质相互作用介导多种保护功能。某些病原体已经进化出破坏IgA介导防御的机制，从而为更有效的入侵提供了机会，这一事实凸显了这种保护的重要性。IgA功能在某些疾病状态下也可能受到干扰，其中一些疾病的特征是IgA在特定组织中沉积。这篇综述详细阐述了目前对IgA在健康和疾病中所起作用的理解。
