Regulation of immune response by antibodies: the importance of antibody and monocyte Fc receptor interaction in T-cell activation.

The interaction between the Fc portions of antibodies and Fc receptors (FcR) on monocytes and macrophages is well known for such immune effector functions as the phagocytosis of antibody-coated bacterial and viral particles. Two additional functions of this Fc-FcR interaction have been described recently and both relate to the regulatory aspects of immune responses. These interactions, discussed here by Tse Wen Chang, are involved in antigen presentation, T cell activation and proliferation, and antibody production.