B Cell Biology Andrea Cerutti, ICREA Research Professor

IgD Responses in the Respiratory Mucosa

Our lab is among the few groups worldwide exploring the unique biology of IgD, a largely neglected antibody isotype often overlooked in immunology.

We have shown that IgD class switch recombination gives rise to specialized plasma cells that inhabit the nasopharyngeal and respiratory mucosae. These cells release secretory IgD that may function in surveillance at mucosal barriers, interacting with microbes and possibly shaping mucosal immunity in unique ways [Shan M. et al., Immunity 2018; Chen K. et al., Trends Immunol. 2023].

Understanding this unconventional pathway could unlock new therapeutic insights, particularly for upper respiratory diseases and mucosal vaccine development.