Exploiting the neonatal crystallizable fragment receptor to treat kidney disease.

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) was initially discovered as the receptor that allowed passive immunity in newborns by transporting maternal IgG through the placenta and enterocytes. Since its initial discovery, FcRn has been found to exist throughout all stages of life and in many different cell types. Beyond passive immunity, FcRn is necessary for intrinsic albumin and IgG recycling and is important for antigen processing and presentation.

Identification of Four Mouse FcRn Splice Variants and FcRn-Specific Vesicles.

Research into the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) has increased dramatically ever since Simister and Mostov first purified a rat version of the receptor. Over the years, FcRn has been shown to function not only as a receptor that transfers immunity from mother to fetus but also performs an array of different functions that include transport and recycling of immunoglobulins and albumin in the adult. Due to its important cellular roles, several clinical trials have been designed to either inhibit/enhance FcRn function or develop of non-invasive therapeutic delivery system such as fusion of drugs to IgG Fc or albumin to enhance delivery inside the cells.

An Urgent Call for Concussion Incidence Measures in Para Sport for Athletes with Vision Impairment: A Narrative Review.

Concussion in para athletes with vision impairment (VI) is poorly understood. Recently published studies have suggested that athletes with VI may be more likely to sustain sport-related concussions compared to non-disabled athletes and athletes with other impairment types. There is a critical need for objective concussion incidence measures to determine concussion injury rates and risks more accurately.

Knockout of the neonatal Fc receptor alters immune complex trafficking and lysosomal function in cultured podocytes.

Podocytes are key to preventing the filtration of serum proteins into the urine. Recent evidence also suggests that in immune mediated kidney diseases, podocytes are the targets of immune complexes (ICs). The mechanisms whereby podocytes handle and respond to ICs remain unknown.