Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytosis: abnormalities associated with diabetes mellitus.

The family of Fc receptors (FcR) for IgG play pivotal roles in affector, effector, and regulatory functions of cells of the immune system. Thus, changes in expression and activation of FcRs may contribute to a variety of disease manifestations that are the consequence of abnormalities in immune system function. Patients with diabetes mellitus are often plagued with recurrent bacterial and mycotic infections, as well as large and small vessel injury which may in part be immune mediated and which lead to organ dysfunction. Hormone-mediated changes in immune system function have been postulated to contribute to a variety of the complications experienced by patients with diabetes mellitus. It is the purpose of this review to summarize current knowledge regarding abnormalities in immune system function in diabetes mellitus with special emphasis on classical hormonal modulation of Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis.