Fc Mediated Activity of Antibodies : Structural and Functional Diversity

This volume explores several aspects of how antibodies mediate their activity in vivo, ranging from cancer immunotherapy to autoimmunity, infection, and vaccination. Divided into seven chapters, it provides in-depth insights into how antibodies and especially the antibody fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain modulate immune responses and antibody activity. The book begins by discussing evolutionary aspects of how the family of Fc receptors that are the key molecules for antibody activity evolved. In turn, it addresses the molecular and cellular pathways underlying IgG activity in cancer immunotherapy, and focuses on how IgG glycosylation regulates IgG and IgE activity in autoimmunity, allergy and infection. In closing, it presents strategies for developing novel antibody-based vaccination approaches. The book is intended for a very broad readership, including graduate students, postdocs and principal investigators with a basic grasp of immunology.

Jeffrey V. Ravetch

Theresa and Eugene M. Lang Professor

Department Leonard Wagner Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology

Rockefeller University

1230 York Avenue, Box 98

New York, NY 10021, USA

ravetch@mail.rockefeller.edu

Falk Nimmerjahn

Professor for Immunology and Genetics

Chairman of the Institute of Genetics

Head of the Department of Biology

Department of Biology

University of Erlangen-Nuernberg

Erwin-Rommelstr. 3

91058 Erlangen, Germany

falk.nimmerjahn@fau.de