Expression and Function of Antibody Fc Receptors on Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells

Antibodies produce many of their beneficial and detrimental effects through binding to receptors found largely on immune cells. In recent times it has become clear that cells not classically considered as “immune cells” can also actively participate in local immune responses. In this regard, we are particularly interested in airway smooth muscle cells. These cells are responsible for regulating airway tone and expand in number and size in conditions such as asthma. This seminar will present our recent work which suggests an important regulatory role for antibody Fc receptors in controlling human airway smooth muscle cell function.