Constant region of secreted IgM (sIgM), also known as the Fc region of IgM antibody. Able to multimerize, forms high order polymers, mainly pentamers and occasionally hexamers, providing for multivalency and high avidity recognition of antigens .
Natural sIgM are polyreactive and recognize conserved self- and pathogen-derived structures, whereas immune sIgM are secreted only upon exposure to pathogens and are antigen-specific. Both natural and immune sIgM are required for an efficient humoral immune response to infection.
Mediates sIgM effector functions mostly via Fc receptors and the complement system. On lymphoid cells binds high-affinity Fc receptor FCMR and promotes induction of an efficient neutralizing IgG response while maintaining tolerance to self-antigens. Recruits C1q complement component to initiate the classical complement pathway, facilitating the recognition and neutralization of pathogens by the host. Together with C1q and mannose-binding lectin promotes the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages, ensuring the clearance of potential autoimmune epitopes from tissues .
Involved in mucosal immunity. It is transported by transcytosis across mucosal epithelium by PIGR and secreted on the apical side in complex with PIGR secretory component to scan mucosal lining for pathogens. IgM-antigen complexes undergo FCMR-mediated retrotranscytosis across mucosal M cells toward antigen-presenting cells in mucosal lymphoid tissues .