The main function of the immune system is to maintain the organism's homeostasis when
invaded by foreign material or organisms. Prior to successful elimination of the invader it is …

Discovery of a large family of Fc receptor-like (FCRL) molecules, homologous to the well-
known receptors for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin (FCR), has uncovered an impressive …

Receptors interacting with the constant domain of immunoglobulins (Igs) have a number of
important functions in vertebrates. They facilitate phagocytosis by opsonization, are key …

Mast cells are important as initiators and effectors of innate immunity and regulate the
adaptive immune responses. They have been described in all classes of vertebrates and …

The purpose of this chapter is to provide readers with a general overview of the fish immune
system, including commonalities and particularities in comparison with higher vertebrate …

This review article is an attempt to trace the evolution of mast cells (MCs). These immune
cells have been identified in all vertebrate classes as single‐lobed cells containing variable …

Monitoring fish welfare has become a central issue for the fast-growing aquaculture industry,
and finding proper biomarkers of stress, inflammation and infection is necessary for …

Two fundamental features characterize adaptive immunity: specific antigen recognition and
immunological memory development. Thus, B and T cells form the adaptive immune system …

Fc receptors are key players of the immune system that link the fine specificity of
immunoglobulins and innate effector responses. Here, we describe a nonmammalian Fcγ …

It has long been held that the cold-blooded vertebrates lack mammalian-like germinal
centers, though they do have affinity maturation and the immunoglobulin mutator activation …