The function of Fc gamma receptors in dendritic cells and macrophages

Dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages use various receptors to recognize foreign antigens and to receive feedback control from adaptive immune cells. Although it was long believed that all immunoglobutin Fc receptors are universally expressed by phagocytes, recent findings indicate that only monocyte-derived DCs and macrophages express high levels of activating Fc receptors for IgG (Fc gamma Rs), whereas conventional and plasmacytoid DCs express the inhibitory Fc gamma R. In this Review, we discuss how the uptake, processing and presentation of antigens by DCs and macrophages is influenced by Fc gamma R recognition of innmunoglobulins and immune complexes in the steady state and during inflammation.