The inhibitory receptor superfamily: potential relevance to atopy

The role of inhibitory receptor superfamily (IRS) members in the pathophysi ology of atopy is still largely unexplored but the past year or so has brou ght at least three important advances in the understanding of IRS member fu nction: first, several targets of an inositol-phosphatase-dependent inhibit ory signaling pathway utilized by some IRS members were identified; second, there is accumulating evidence from murine models supporting the importanc e of inhibitory Fc gamma receptors in modulating immune-complex-mediated in flammation; third, the inhibitory signaling capability of several previousl y identified candidate IRS members - including several expressed on cell ty pes implicated in atopy and allergic reactions - has been demonstrated.