therapautic strategies for autoimmune diseases

Question 1

FcRn function

Answer 1

• Neonatal Fc receptor –> function to transfer maternal IgGs to neonates during pregnancy
• Also recycles IgGs later in life and ensures their extended serum half-life
• FcRn is bound inside lysosomes and captures them preventing them to break down and releases them when lysosome fuses with cell membrane
• Only IgG not IgM etc. their half life is only 6 days while IgG is 21 days

Question 2

efgartigimod

Answer 2

• anti-FcRn –> IgG1-Fc fragment of the Fc region with some mutations to ensure high affinity for FcRn
• function to out compete IgGs from binding to FcRn and thereby shortening their lifespan
• can be used to remove auto IgG antibodies and improve symptoms –> MG or AIE