Fc receptors and immunity to parasites

Fc receptors (FcRs) are crucial in the immune system; they mediate a pletho ra of biological functions as diverse as antigen presentation, phagocytosis , cytotoxicity, induction of inflammatory cascades and modulation of immune responses. Parasites, in order to survive in the immunocompetent host, hav e devised ingenious methods to subvert this important aspect of the immune response. This article discusses the current thinking on FcRs,their role in immunity to parasites, and immune evasion strategies employed by parasites in their attempt to neutralize the important immune defense mechanisms med iated by these molecules.