Cross-linking of receptor-bound IgE to aggregates larger than dimers leads to rapid immobilization

Controlled cross-linking of IgE-receptor complexes on the surface of rat basophilic leukemia cells and mast cells has allowed a comparison of the lateral mobility and cell triggering activity of monomers, dimers, and higher oligomers of receptors. Addition of a monoclonal anti-IgE(Fc) antibody to IgE-sensitized cells in stoichiometric amounts relative to IgE produces IgE-receptor dimers with high efficiency. These dimers are nearly as mobile as IgE-receptor monomers and trigger cellular degranulation poorly, but in the presence of 30% D2O, substantial immobilization of the dimers is seen and degranulation activity doubles. Addition of this monoclonal antibody in larger amounts results in the formation of larger oligomeric receptor clusters which are immobile and effectively trigger the cells. Thus, small receptor clusters that are active in stimulating degranulation are immobilized in a process that is not anticipated by simple hydrodynamic theories. Further experiments involving cross-linking of receptor-bound IgE by multivalent antigen demonstrate that immobilization of receptors occurs rapidly (less than 2 min) upon cross-linking and is fully and rapidly reversible by the addition of excess monovalent hapten. The rapidity and reversibility of the immobilization process are entirely consistent with the possibility that immobilization represents a recognition event between clustered receptors and cytoskeleton-associated components that plays an important role early in the cell triggering mechanism.     

Relationship of IgE receptor topography to secretion in RBL-2H3 mast cells.

In RBL-2H3 rat leukemic mast cells, cross-linking IgE-receptor complexes with anti-IgE antibody leads to degranulation. Receptor cross-linking also stimulates the redistribution of receptors on the cell surface, a process observed here by labeling the anti-IgE with 15 nm protein A-gold particles that are visible by back-scattered electron imaging in the scanning electron microscope. We report that anti-IgE binding stimulates the redistribution of IgE-receptor complexes at 37 degrees C from a dispersed topography to distributions dominated sequentially by short chains, small clusters, and large aggregates of cross-linked receptors. Cells incubated with 1 microgram/ml anti-IgE, a concentration that stimulates maximum net secretion, redistribute receptors into chains and small clusters during a 15 min incubation period. At 3 and 10 micrograms/ml anti-IgE, net secretion is reduced and the majority of receptors redistribute rapidly into clusters and large aggregates. The addition of Fab fragments with the high anti-IgE concentrations, to reduce cross-linking, delays receptor aggregation and enhances secretion. The progression of receptors from small clusters to large aggregates is prevented in cells treated with dihydrocytochalasin B to prevent F-actin assembly. These results establish that characteristic patterns of receptor topography are correlated with receptor activity. In particular, they link the formation of large receptor aggregates to reduced signalling activity. Cytoskeleton-membrane interaction is implicated in the formation or stabilization of the large receptor clusters.     

Regulation of IgE activity in inhalational tolerance via formation of IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes

Background

Allergic asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways that results from inappropriate production of IgE against harmless, environmental antigens. Sequestration of free IgE using humanized IgG anti-IgE is an effective therapy for asthma and other atopic disorders. However, the status of free IgE in subjects who have naturally developed immune tolerance to inhaled antigens has not been well studied.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) for 7 days to induce allergic airway disease (AAD) or 6 weeks to induce a state of local inhalational tolerance (LIT). Serum from AAD or LIT mice, diluted to achieve equivalent levels of total OVA-specific IgE, was used to sensitize rat basophil leukemia cells for allergen-mediated degranulation. Levels of degranulation were measured in relation to serum concentrations of free IgE and IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes.

Results

Serum from AAD animals induced a greater degree of basophil degranulation than serum from LIT animals. These results correlated with higher levels of free IgE in AAD animals, whereas LIT mice demonstrated a significant increase in IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes relative to their diseased counterparts.

Conclusions

Sequestration of free IgE by naturally occurring IgG anti-IgE may aid in the development of immune tolerance against inhaled allergens. The decrease in bioavailability of free IgE may, in turn, contribute to the overall reduction of asthma symptoms via a mechanism that mimics the therapeutic effects of humanized IgG anti-IgE.

     

Interaction of a monoclonal IgE-specific antibody with cell-surface IgE-Fc epsilon RI: characterization of equilibrium binding and secretory response

Aggregation of FcepsilonRI, the high-affinity cell-surface receptor for IgE antibody, is required for degranulation of basophils and mast cells, but not all receptor aggregates elicit this cellular response. The stereochemical constraints on clusters of FcepsilonRI that are able to signal cellular responses, such as degranulation, have yet to be fully defined. To improve our understanding of the properties of FcepsilonRI aggregates that influence receptor signaling, we have studied the interaction of 23G3, a rat IgG(1)(kappa) IgE-specific monoclonal antibody, with IgE-FcepsilonRI complexes on rat mucosal-type mast cells (RBL-2H3 line). We find that 23G3 is a potent secretagogue. This property and the structural features of 23G3 (two symmetrically arrayed IgE-specific binding sites) make 23G3 a potentially valuable reagent for investigating the relationship between FcepsilonRI clustering and FcepsilonRI-mediated signaling events. To develop a mathematical model of 23G3-induced aggregation of FcepsilonRI, we used fluorimetry and flow cytometry to quantitatively monitor equilibrium binding of FITC-labeled 23G3 intact Ab and its Fab' fragment to cell-surface IgE. The results indicate that IgE bound to FcepsilonRI expresses two epitopes for 23G3 binding; that 23G3 binds IgE resident on the cell surface with negative cooperativity; and that 23G3 appears to induce mostly but not exclusively noncyclic dimeric aggregates of FcepsilonRI. There is no simple relationship between receptor aggregation at equilibrium and the degranulation response. Further studies are needed to establish how 23G3-induced aggregation of IgE-FcepsilonRI correlates with cellular responses.     

Association of the crosslinked IgE receptor with the membrane skeleton is independent of the known signaling mechanisms in rat basophilic leukemia cells.

Crosslinking of the IgE receptor on the surface of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells by multivalent antigen induces an association of these receptors with the detergent-insoluble membrane skeleton. Detergent insolubility of the receptor can also be induced on purified plasma membranes isolated from RBL cells by the use of either IgE oligomers or IgE monomers plus multivalent antigen. The critical event in initiating this interaction between the receptor and the membrane skeleton is cross-linking of the receptor. This association is rapid, and, when triggered by multivalent antigen, it is quickly reversed by the addition of excess monovalent antigen. The fact that this association occurs with the use of purified plasma membranes indicates that all of the components necessary for this interaction are present in the plasma membrane and that intracellular components are not required. Although crosslinking of the receptor activates phospholipase C and phospholipase A2 leading to the generation of several second messengers, none of these signaling mechanisms appears to be involved in IgE receptor interaction with the membrane skeleton. This interaction cannot be induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), ionomycin, or a combination of these two reagents, although this will result in degranulation. Furthermore, receptor detergent insolubility is temperature independent when triggered by multivalent antigen, thus indicating that enzyme-catalyzed reactions are not important. This was verified by the fact that a variety of inhibitors that block phosphatidylinositol metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, Ca2+ influx, and protein kinase C (PKC) activation had no effect on antigen-induced association of the receptor with the membrane skeleton. These results indicate that the signaling mechanisms leading to the degranulation response are not involved in the association of the crosslinked receptor with the membrane skeleton.     

SHIP down-regulates FcepsilonR1-induced degranulation at supraoptimal IgE or antigen levels

Cross-linking of the IgE-loaded high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonR1) by multivalent Ags results in mast cell activation and subsequent release of multiple proinflammatory mediators. The dose-response curve for FcepsilonR1-mediated degranulation is bell-shaped, regardless of whether the IgE or the Ag concentration is varied. Although overall calcium influx follows this bell-shaped curve, intracellular calcium release continues to increase at supraoptimal IgE or Ag concentrations. As well, overall calcium mobilization adopts more transient kinetics when stimulations are conducted with supraoptimal instead of optimal Ag concentrations. Moreover, certain early signaling events continue to increase whereas degranulation drops under supraoptimal conditions. We identified SHIP, possibly in association with the FcepsilonR1 beta-chain, as a critical negative regulator acting within the inhibitory (supraoptimal) region of the dose-response curve that shifts the kinetics of calcium mobilization from a sustained to a transient response. Consistent with this, we found that degranulation of SHIP-deficient murine bone marrow-derived mast cells was not significantly reduced at supraoptimal Ag levels. A potential mediator of SHIP action, Bruton's tyrosine kinase, did not seem to play a role within the supraoptimal suppression of degranulation. Interestingly, SHIP was found to colocalize with the actin cytoskeleton (which has been shown previously to mediate the inhibition of degranulation at supraoptimal Ag doses). These results suggest that SHIP, together with other negative regulators, restrains bone marrow-derived mast cell activation at supraoptimal IgE or Ag concentrations in concert with the actin cytoskeleton.     

Aggregation of IgE-receptor complexes on rat basophilic leukemia cells does not change the intrinsic affinity but can alter the kinetics of the ligand-IgE interaction.

The aggregation of IgE anchored to high-affinity Fc epsilon receptors on rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells by multivalent antigens initiates transmembrane signaling and ultimately cellular degranulation. Previous studies have shown that the rate of dissociation of bivalent and multivalent DNP ligands from RBL cells sensitized with anti-DNP IgE decreases with increasing ligand incubation times. One mechanism proposed for this effect is that when IgE molecules are aggregated, a conformational change occurs that results in an increase in the intrinsic affinity of IgE for antigen. This possibility was tested by measuring the equilibrium constant for the binding of monovalent DNP-lysine to anti-DNP IgE under two conditions, where the cell-bound IgE is dispersed and where it has been aggregated into visible patches on the cell surface using anti-IgE and a secondary antibody. No difference in the equilibrium constant in these two cases was observed. We also measured the rate of dissociation of a monovalent ligand from cell surface IgE under these two conditions. Whereas the affinity for monovalent ligand is not altered by IgE aggregation, we observe that the rate of ligand dissociation from IgE in clusters is slower than the rate of ligand dissociation from unaggregated IgE. These results are discussed in terms of recent theoretical developments concerning effects of receptor density on ligand binding to cell surfaces.     

Cytophilic binding of IgE to the macrophage. II. Immunologic release of lysosomal enzyme from macrophages by IgE and anti-IgE in the rat: a new mechanism of macrophage activation.

Rat peritoneal macrophages release lysosome granule-associated β-glucuronidase, but not cytoplasmic leucine aminopeptidase, after successive incubation with purified IgE protein and ?-specific anti-IgE antibody or anti-IgE F(ab′)₂ fragments. The selective release of β-glucuronidase was shown to proceed by a first step of binding of the purified IgE to the cell surface, followed by IgE-anti-IgE reaction on the macrophage, whereas the possibility of cell activation by IgE-anti-IgE complexes in the bulk phase was ruled out. Heating rat IgE destroyed its ability to mediate lysosomal enzyme release. The characteristics of macrophage activation, insofar as the binding of IgE is concerned, were in agreement with those reported for the fixation of IgE to the mononuclear phagocyte, optimal binding of IgE being achieved with 20 min incubation. Preincubation of rat macrophages with rat IgG, either aggregated or not aggregated, did not inhibit the selective release of β-glucuronidase by the successive addition of IgE and anti-IgE antibody. Simultaneous incubation of macrophage monolayers with rat IgE and aggregated rat IgG did not reduce the subsequent activation by addition of anti-IgE. These studies indicated that rat macrophages can bind rat IgE through a specific receptor, with no interference of the classical Fc (γ) receptor, and are triggered to release lysosomal enzymes upon conformational changes of the IgE molecule by anti-IgE antibody. Antibody-dependent macrophage cytotoxicity in rat schistosomiasis is mediated by IgE antibody to the parasite, which may therefore function by activating the macrophage to an efficient effector cell.     

Membrane-bound IgE receptor complexes fused with rat basophilic leukemia cells mediate degranulation

The high affinity receptor for IgE on rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells mediates antigen-triggered cellular degranulation. Polyethylene glycol-induced membrane fusion methods were used to introduce exogenous IgE receptors into living RBL cells, and these were tested for normal activities. In cell-cell fusion experiments, RBL cells with fluorescein-labeled rat IgE bound to receptors and containing [5-1,2-3H(N)]hydroxytryptamine binoxalate ([3H]5HT) in their secretory granules were fused to cells with receptors occupied by rhodamine-labeled anti-dinitrophenyl mouse IgE. The fused cells showed a uniform surface distribution of both types of IgE, which could be patched independently by anti-IgE or dinitrophenylated bovine gamma globulin (DNP16BGG). [3H]5HT release could be triggered specifically by DNP16BGG. In vesicle-cell fusion experiments, plasma membrane vesicles, with receptors occupied by fluorescein- and 125I-labeled anti-DNP mouse IgE, were fused to RBL cells containing [3H]5HT. The cells showed substantial associated fluorescein fluorescence and 125I counts, and [3H]5HT release could be triggered specifically by DNP16BGG. These experiments indicate that IgE receptors can be dissociated from their natural cellular interactions and retain the ability to reassociate with another cell's components to deliver the transmembrane signal for degranulation.     

Antigen-dependent transition of IgE to a detergent-insoluble form is associated with reduced IgE receptor-dependent secretion from RBL-2H3 mast cells

In mast cells, basophils, and the RBL-2H3 tumor mast cell model, crosslinking cell surface IgE-receptor complexes by multivalent ligands activates a signal transduction pathway that leads to the secretion of histamine, serotonin, and other inflammatory mediators. Receptor crosslinking in RBL-2H3 cells also changes cell surface morphology and increases F-actin assembly. Previously, Robertson et al. demonstrated that crosslinked IgE-receptor complexes become associated with the Triton X-100-insoluble fraction (the "cytoskeleton") of RBL-2H3 cells and raised the possibility that receptor-cytoskeletal association may be a required step in the stimulation of secretion. The studies reported here confirm by flow cytometry that crosslinking cell surface IgE by antigen induces the association of the crosslinked complexes with the detergent-insoluble fraction. Dose-response studies, also reported here, indicate that the detergent insolubility of the complexes does not correlate with secretion. Thus, secretion increases with antigen concentration to a maximum beyond which more antigen causes less, not more, secretion. There is little residual detergent-insoluble IgE at the concentrations of antigen that promote optimal secretion, whereas the association of IgE with the detergent-insoluble fraction is maximal at the high antigen concentrations that result in reduced secretion. The addition of monovalent hapten to reduce the amount of crosslinking caused by high concentrations of antigen increases secretion and simultaneously reduces the association of IgE with the detergent-insoluble fraction. Dihydrocytochalasin B, an inhibitor of antigen-stimulated actin polymerization, also increases the rate and extent of secretion and simultaneously delays the association of crosslinked IgE-receptor complexes with the detergent-insoluble fraction. From these data, we propose that the association of crosslinked IgE receptors with the detergent-insoluble fraction of RBL-2H3 cells increases with increased receptor crosslinking, is enhanced by antigen-induced actin polymerization, and is more likely related to the termination than the stimulation of secretion. The ligand-induced conversion of receptors to a detergent-insoluble form is not restricted to mast cells but occurs in a variety of cell types. Its general function may be to limit the generation or transmission of transmembrane signals.     

Clustering, mobility, and triggering activity of small oligomers of immunoglobulin E on rat basophilic leukemia cells

We have recently shown that small oligomers of IgE bound to univalent receptors for IgE on the surface of rat basophilic leukemia cells induce extensive aggregation of the receptors at 4 degrees C into patches resolvable by fluorescence microscopy and that this does not occur with monomeric IgE (Menon, A. K., D. Holowka, and B. Baird, 1984, J. Cell Biol. 98:577-583). Here we use fluorescence photobleaching recovery measurements to show that receptor oligomerization by this means is accompanied by a dramatic reduction of receptor lateral mobility, and that this immobilization occurs even when the clustering is not microscopically detectable. Furthermore, the degree of immobility induced by a particular oligomer fraction from a gel filtration column correlates positively with its ability to trigger cellular degranulation, whereas receptors labeled with monomeric IgE have no triggering activity and exhibit typical membrane protein mobility. The slow, large-scale oligomer-induced clustering appears to be a long term consequence of earlier selective interactions that result in receptor immobilization, and this highly clustered state provides a competent, noninhibitory triggering signal resulting in cellular degranulation upon warming to 37 degrees C. We conclude that even limited clustering of IgE receptors on rat basophilic leukemia cells induces interactions with other cellular components that constrain receptor mobility and eventually cause massive coalescence of the clusters. These primary selective interactions occurring at the level of receptor oligomers or small clusters of oligomers that result in immobilization may play a role in triggering cellular degranulation.     

Positive and negative regulation of mast cell activation by Lyn via the FcepsilonRI

Aggregation of the high affinity receptor for IgE (FcepsilonRI) induces activation of mast cells. In this study we show that upon low intensity stimulation of FcepsilonRI with monomeric IgE, IgE plus anti-IgE, or IgE plus low Ag, Lyn (a Src family kinase) positively regulates degranulation, cytokine production, and survival, whereas Lyn works as a negative regulator of high intensity stimulation with IgE plus high Ag. Low intensity stimulation suppressed Lyn kinase activity and its association with FcepsilonRI beta subunit, whereas high intensity stimulation enhanced Lyn activity and its association with FcepsilonRI beta. The latter induced much higher levels of FcepsilonRI beta phosphorylation and Syk activity than the former. Downstream positive signaling molecules, such as Akt and p38, were positively and negatively regulated by Lyn upon low and high intensity stimulations, respectively. In contrast, the negative regulators, SHIP and Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1, interacted with FcepsilonRI beta, and their phosphorylation was controlled by Lyn. Therefore, we conclude that Lyn-mediated positive vs negative regulation depends on the intensity of the stimuli. Studies of mutant FcepsilonRI beta showed that FcepsilonRI beta subunit-ITAM (ITAM motif) regulates degranulation and cytokine production positively and negatively depending on the intensity of FcepsilonRI stimulation. Furthermore, Lyn-mediated negative regulation was shown to be exerted via the FcepsilonRI beta-ITAM.     

Mapping of the CD23 Binding Site on Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and Allosteric Control of the IgE-Fc{epsilon}RI Interaction

IgE, the antibody that mediates allergic responses, acts as part of a self-regulating protein network. Its unique effector functions are controlled through interactions of its Fc region with two cellular receptors, FcεRI on mast cells and basophils and CD23 on B cells. IgE cross-linked by allergen triggers mast cell activation via FcεRI, whereas IgE-CD23 interactions control IgE expression levels. We have determined the CD23 binding site on IgE, using a combination of NMR chemical shift mapping and site-directed mutagenesis. We show that the CD23 and FcεRI interaction sites are at opposite ends of the Cε3 domain of IgE, but that receptor binding is mutually inhibitory, mediated by an allosteric mechanism. This prevents CD23-mediated cross-linking of IgE bound to FcεRI on mast cells and resulting antigen-independent anaphylaxis. The mutually inhibitory nature of receptor binding provides a degree of autonomy for the individual activities mediated by IgE-FcεRI and IgE-CD23 interactions.     

Co-aggregation of FcgammaRII with FcepsilonRI on human mast cells inhibits antigen-induced secretion and involves SHIP-Grb2-Dok complexes

Signaling through the high affinity IgE receptor FcepsilonRI on human basophils and rodent mast cells is decreased by co-aggregating these receptors to the low affinity IgG receptor FcgammaRII. We used a recently described fusion protein, GE2, which is composed of key portions of the human gamma1 and the human epsilon heavy chains, to dissect the mechanisms that lead to human mast cell and basophil inhibition through co-aggregation of FcgammaRII and FcepsilonRI. Unstimulated human mast cells derived from umbilical cord blood express the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif-containing receptor FcgammaRII but not FcgammaRI or FcgammaRIII. Interaction of the mast cells with GE2 alone did not cause degranulation. Co-aggregating FcepsilonRI and FcgammaRII with GE2 1) significantly inhibited IgE-mediated histamine release, cytokine production, and Ca(2+) mobilization, 2) reduced the antigen-induced morphological changes associated with mast cell degranulation, 3) reduced the tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular substrates, and 4) increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of the adapter protein downstream of kinase 1 (p62(dok); Dok), growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2), and SH2 domain containing inositol 5-phosphatase (SHIP). Tyrosine phosphorylation of Dok was associated with increased binding to Grb2. Surprisingly, in non-stimulated cells, there were complexes of phosphorylated SHIP-Grb2-Dok that were lost upon IgE receptor activation but retained under conditions of Fcepsilon-Fcgamma co-aggregation. Finally, studies using mast cells from Dok-1 knock-out mice showed that IgE alone triggers degranulation supporting an inhibitory role for Dok degranulation. Our results demonstrate how human FcepsilonRI-mediated responses can be inhibited by co-aggregation with FcgammaRIIB and implicate Dok, SHIP, and Grb2 as key intermediates in regulating antigen-induced mediator release.     

Early divergence of Fc epsilon receptor I signals for receptor up-regulation and internalization from degranulation, cytokine production, and survival

Mast cells play a critical role in IgE-dependent immediate hypersensitivity. Monomeric IgE binding to its high affinity receptor (FcepsilonRI) results in a number of biological outcomes in mouse mast cells, including increased surface expression of FcepsilonRI and enhanced survival. IgE molecules display heterogeneity in inducing cytokine production; highly cytokinergic IgEs cause extensive FcepsilonRI aggregation, leading to potent enhancement of survival and other activation events, whereas poorly cytokinergic IgEs can do so less efficiently. In this study, we demonstrate that IgE-induced receptor up-regulation is not sensitive to monovalent hapten, which can prevent receptor aggregation induced by IgE, whereas other activation events such as receptor internalization, degranulation, IL-6 production, and survival are sensitive to monovalent hapten. IgE-induced receptor up-regulation is also unique in that no Src family kinases, Syk, or Btk are required for it. By contrast, highly cytokinergic IgE-induced receptor internalization is dependent on Lyn, but not other Src family kinases, Syk, or Btk, whereas degranulation, IL-6 production, and survival require Syk. Weak to moderate stimulation with IgE plus anti-IgE or IgE plus Ag enhances survival, while stronger signals are required for degranulation and IL-6 production. Collectively, signals emanated from IgE-bound FcepsilonRI for receptor up-regulation and internalization are shown to diverge at the receptor or receptor-proximal levels from those for other biological outcomes.     

Targeting Janus kinase 3 in mast cells prevents immediate hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis.

Janus kinase 3 (JAK3), a member of the Janus family protein-tyrosine kinases, is expressed in mast cells, and its enzymatic activity is enhanced by IgE receptor/FcepsilonRI cross-linking. Selective inhibition of JAK3 in mast cells with 4-(4'-hydroxylphenyl)-amino-6, 7-dimethoxyquinazoline) (WHI-P131) blocked the phospholipase C activation, calcium mobilization, and activation of microtubule-associated protein kinase after lgE receptor/FcepsilonRI cross-linking. Treatment of IgE-sensitized rodent as well as human mast cells with WHI-P131 effectively inhibited the activation-associated morphological changes, degranulation, and proinflammatory mediator release after specific antigen challenge without affecting the functional integrity of the distal secretory machinery. In vivo administration of the JAK3 inhibitor WHI-P131 prevented mast cell degranulation and development of cutaneous as well as systemic fatal anaphylaxis in mice at nontoxic dose levels. Thus, JAK3 plays a pivotal role in IgE receptor/FcepsilonRI-mediated mast cell responses, and targeting JAK3 with a specific inhibitor, such as WHI-P131, may provide the basis for new and effective treatment as well as prevention programs for mast cell-mediated allergic reactions.     

IgE generation and mast cell effector function in mice deficient in IL-4 and IL-13

IL-4 and IL-13 are potent cytokines that drive production of IgE, which is critical to the development of atopic disease. In this study, we directly compared IgE generation and IgE-dependent mast cell effector function in mouse strains lacking IL-4, IL-13, IL-4 + IL-13, or their common receptor component, IL-4Ralpha. Although serum IgE was undetectable under resting conditions in most animals deficient in one or both cytokines, peritoneal mast cells from mice lacking IL-4 or IL-13 had only partial reductions in surface IgE level. In contrast, peritoneal mast cells from IL-4/13(-/-) and IL-4Ralpha(-/-) animals were severely deficient in surface IgE, and showed no detectable degranulation following treatment with anti-IgE in vitro. Surprisingly, however, intradermal challenge with high concentrations of anti-IgE Ab induced an ear-swelling response in these strains, implying some capacity for IgE-mediated effector function in tissue mast cells. Furthermore, upon specific immunization with OVA, both IL-4/IL-13(-/-) and IL-4Ralpha(-/-) mice produced detectable levels of serum IgE and Ag-specific IgG1, and generated strong ear-swelling responses to intradermal administration of anti-IgE. These findings suggest that a mechanism for IgE production exists in vivo that is independent of IL-4 or IL-13.     

Differential Effects of the Toll-Like Receptor 2 Agonists,PGN and Pam3CSK4 on Anti-IgE Induced Human Mast Cell Activation

Mast cells are pivotal in the pathogenesis of allergy and inflammation. In addition to the classical IgE-dependent mechanism involving crosslinking of the high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcεRI), mast cells are also activated by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) which are at the center of innate immunity. In this study, we demonstrated that the response of LAD2 cells (a human mast cell line) to anti-IgE was altered in the presence of the TLR2 agonists peptidoglycan (PGN) and tripalmitoyl-S-glycero-Cys-(Lys)4 (Pam3CSK4). Pretreatment of PGN and Pam3CSK4 inhibited anti-IgE induced calcium mobilization and degranulation without down-regulation of FcεRI expression. Pam3CSK4 but not PGN acted in synergy with anti-IgE for IL-8 release when the TLR2 agonist was added simultaneously with anti-IgE. Studies with inhibitors of key enzymes implicated in mast cell signaling revealed that the synergistic release of IL-8 induced by Pam3CSK4 and anti-IgE involved ERK and calcineurin signaling cascades. The differential modulations of anti-IgE induced mast cell activation by PGN and Pam3CSK4 suggest that dimerization of TLR2 with TLR1 or TLR6 produced different modulating actions on FcεRI mediated human mast cell activation.     

Interaction of IgG immunoglobulins with the guinea pig peritoneal macrophage Fcγ receptors. Effect on the association of the receptors with the membrane skeleton and the cytoskeleton

Binding of ligands to cell surface receptors may induce an interaction of the receptors with the cytoskeleton and/or membrane skeleton and decrease the solubility of the receptors in nonionic detergents. Cytochalasins, reagents affecting the structure of microfilaments, inhibit some cell functions induced by cross-linking of the receptors with ligands. Information concerning the function of the cytoskeleton in insolubilization of Fcγ receptors (FcγR) and in FcγR-mediated signal transmission is rather limited. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of binding of homologous (guinea pig IgG1 and IgG2) and heterologous (rabbit IgG) immunoglobulins to guinea pig peritoneal macrophages on association of the macrophage Fcγ receptors with the membrane skeleton and cytoskeleton. Cross-linking the macrophage Fcγ receptors with immunoglobulin ligands induced insolubilization of the receptors in nonionic detergents suggesting association of the receptors with the membrane skeleton and the cytoskeleton. The ligands showed differential effects depending on a subclass and origin of the IgG used. The process of association of the Fcγ receptors with the skeletons was fast and did not depend on temperature. Treatment of insoluble complexes with cytochalasin D, DNAse I or colchicine showed that actin microfilaments and microtubules play a role, at least partially, in insolubilization of the cross-linked macrophage Fcγ receptors. Inhibition of insolubilization of the macrophage Fcγ receptors by genistein indicated that tyrosine kinases are involved in the process of insolubilization. The association with the skeletons might be a part of the process of transduction of a signal which depended on the subclass and origin of IgG used and on the type of the Fcγ receptor.     

The effectiveness of different rat IgG subclasses as IgE-blocking antibodies in the rat basophil leukaemia cell model

The degranulation of mast cells in an allergic response is initiated by the aggregation of high-affinity IgE receptors (Fc epsilon RI) by IgE and antigen. Recently it has been shown that such degranulation can be inhibited by cross-linking Fc epsilon RI and low-affinity IgG receptors (Fc gamma RII) which are also expressed by mast cells. The ability of various monoclonal antibodies to block the degranulation of rat basophil leukaemia (RBL) cells sensitized with IgE antidinitrophenyl (DNP) antibodies has been investigated. Sensitized cells were challenged with immune complexes formed using varying concentrations of antigen, and of both high- and low-valency antigen. It is reported here that rat IgG1 antibodies, which are associated in the rat with a Th1-type response, act as highly effective blocking antibodies over a wide concentration range. Rat IgG2a antibodies, which are associated with a Th2-type response, were able only to inhibit degranulation when immune complexes were formed with very low concentrations of high-valency antigen (DNP32-HSA). Under these conditions, some inhibitory activity was seen with high-affinity murine IgA anti-DNP but not with low-affinity rat IgG2b anti-DNP antibody-containing immune complexes. In addition to this inhibitory activity, IgG2a antibodies were shown to be capable of inducing degranulation of cells via unoccupied Fc epsilon RI. These results demonstrate that blocking activity may arise via both inhibitory receptors and by masking of antigen.