Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
IgG F receptor
c
IgG
Phagocyte
Opsonized
infectious agent
Figure 8.9
Increased expression of IgG F
c
receptors on phagocytes results in enhanced phagocytosis. These
receptors will retain opsonized (i.e. antibody-coated) infectious agents at their surface by binding the F
c
por-
tion of the antibody. This facilitates subsequent phagocytosis
stimulates phagocytic activity in humans suffering from
various cancers, AIDS and lepromatous leprosy (leprosy is caused by the bacterium
Mycobacte-
rium leprae
. Lepromatous leprosy is a severe contagious form of the disease leading to disfi gure-
ment). IFN-γ may thus prove useful in treating such conditions.
Additional studies illustrate that IFN-
γ
8.3.4 Interferon toxicity
Like most drugs, administration of interferons can elicit a number of unwanted side effects. Unfortu-
nately, in some instances the severity of such effects can limit the maximum recommended therapeutic
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