Fc receptor (FcR)-dependent effector functions of antibodies contribute significantly to protective immunity against microbial pathogens and tumors. Therefore, FcR-mediated immunological processes constitute a key component of the immune system’s defense armamentaria for maintaining the biological and physiological integrity of the mammalian host who is yoked with frequent encounters with infections and neoplasia. The direct effector functions that result from FcR triggering are phagocytosis, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and induction of inflammation; also, FcR-mediated processes provide immunoregulation and immunomodulation that augment T-cell immunity and fine-tune immune responses against antigens. This plasticity of effector and immunoregulatory functions provides unique opportunities to apply FcR-based platforms and immunotherapeutic regimens for vaccine delivery and drug targeting against infectious and non-infectious diseases. This chapter focuses on the protective immunological processes resulting from antibody or immune complex binding to FcRs on effector cells (i.e., NK cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, PMNs, and eosinophils), as well as innovative strategies to apply these mechanisms in immunotherapy, vaccine, and drug delivery against infectious and non-infectious diseases. Deleterious immune reactivity associated with FcR engagement, including immune complex diseases, allergic reactions due to IgE-mediated activation of mast cells and basophils, or facilitation of microbial infectivity, such as antibody-mediated enhancement of infections, are outside the focus of this review.
This book provides a comprehensive and authoritative assessment of the training of health professionals in Nigeria, looking back to how health care education has evolved in the country over time, before investigating new and emerging trends. The book begins with a discussion of the fundamentals of health care education, the art of teaching health care students, and modeling professionalism in health care. The book highlights the work of pioneer Nigerian health care academics, and explores the administration of health care education at departmental level. Finally, it highlights the role of elite Nigerian health care academics in the diaspora, chronicles contemporary challenges in health care education, and makes recommendations for reform. This book will be of interest to students, scholars, and practitioners working on health care education in Africa.
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