An immunoblotting technique for the detection of bound and secreted bacterial Fc receptors

A rapid semiquantitative procedure that enables bacteria to be screened for surface or secreted receptors for the Fc region of human IgG is described. Surface Fc receptors were detected by direct transfer of bacterial colonies to nitrocellulose by electroblotting and then probing with ¹²⁵I-labeled human IgG in the presence of a two fold molar excess of unlabeled F(ab′)₂fragments. The blots were exposed to X-ray film and the intensity of the resulting autoradiograph was a measure of surface Fc receptors expression. This procedure reliably distinguished Staphylococcus aureus strains which expressed different levels of surface Fc receptors. When applied to the study of group A streptococci, a number of Fc receptor-positive strains were identified. Unlike the homogeneous Fc receptor expression on individual colonies of the staphylococcal strains, a wide variation in the level of Fc receptor expression was observed within a given streptococcal strain. Group A streptococcal substrains which expressed high and low levels of surface Fc receptors could be isolated from replica plates.Secreted Fc receptors were measured by a simple modification of the blotting procedure in which the nitrocellulose was placed on the opposite side of the agar from the bacterial colonies. Secreted Fc receptors was electroblotted through the agar onto nitrocellulose and probed as described above. This approach readily detected nanogram quantities of secreted type I Fc receptor (protein A) from the Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain. None of the group A streptococcal strains tested were found to secrete detectable quantities of Fc receptors.     

Human neutrophils and eosinophils have structurally distinct Fc gamma receptors

Human Fc gamma receptors were isolated from surface radioiodinated granulocytes and eosinophils by using repetitive affinity chromatography on human IgG-Sepharose columns. Analysis by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that cell preparations containing eosinophils possessed a 43,000 Mr Fc gamma-binding macromolecule. Nylon wool-filtered cells from patients with eosinophilia and cell cultures derived from normal donors provided highly purified eosinophil preparations that expressed only the 43,000 Mr Fc gamma receptor. Granulocyte populations yielded the 52,000 to 68,000 Mr Fc gamma receptor characteristic of neutrophils as well as the Fc gamma-binding macromolecules apparently derived from eosinophils. The 43,000 Mr Fc gamma receptor of the eosinophil and the 31,000 and 34,000 Mr fragments that appear to be derived from it were able to rebind selectively to human IgG1-Sepharose, Fc gamma 1-Sepharose, IgG3-Sepharose, and Fc gamma 3-Sepharose. In contrast, the 52,000 to 68,000 Mr Fc gamma receptor from neutrophils could rebind only to IgG1-Sepharose and Fc gamma 1-Sepharose. The results demonstrate that the Fc gamma receptor of human eosinophils is distinct in structure from the neutrophil Fc gamma receptor and that these Fc gamma receptors, at least in their solubilized states, differ in specificity for human IgG3.     

Antigenic properties of T cell antigen-specific receptors isolated from the surface of rabbit and mouse spleen and lymph node cells

The presence ofa allotypic determinants was tested in fractions obtained by gel filtration of antigen-specific receptors isolated by immunoadsorption from lymphoid cells of antigen-stimulateda3-3 rabbits. This technique, as well as the inhibition of the reaction of isolated receptors with anti-T cell receptor antisera (anti R) by anti-a3 antibodies failed to demonstrate the presence of a allotypie determinants. The inhibitory effect of antigen-specific receptors isolated from the lymphoid cells of stimulated A/J mice on the cytotoxic effect of anti-Ia antibodies on mouse spleen cells in the presence of rabbit complement was tested. All preparations inhibited the cytotoxic reaction with the average effectivity of 60%. In order to confirm the presence of Ia determinants on the rabbit and mouse T cell receptor molecules it was shown that the reactions of three anti-R antisera with 12 different receptor preparations were inhibited by anti-la antibodies. SDS-PAGE analyses of¹²⁵I-labelled mouse specific receptors and the precipitate obtained by anti-R antisera showed that T cell receptors were present in fractions with molar mass 100 and 85 kg/mol. The molar mass of the former fraction after reduction and alkylation was 45 kg/mol.     

Fc receptor—More answers,more questions

Fc receptors, belonging to the most important surface structure of a number of cells participating in the immune processes, have been intensely studied during the past decade. The present review summarizes the contemporary knowledge of the specificity and heterogeneity of Fc receptors and of factors influencing their expression, and includes some views on their function. In addition, it mentions their relationship to other cell surface structures, expression of Fc receptors during ontogeny of the organism and in certain diseases. Finally, data concerning the isolation and biochemical characterization of the Fc receptor molecule are presented.     

Isolation of a murine leukemia FC receptor by selective release induced by surface redistribution.

A protein which binds to the Fc region of IgG has been isolated from the murine leukemia L1210. The isolation technique involves surface cross-linking of the cells's Fc receptors with the use of aggregated human IgG and anti-human IgG. This results in the redistribution (patch formation and capping) of the cells's Fc receptors. Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radioiodination of the cells before complex binding indicates that Fc receptor redistribution results in the selective release of surface proteins. SDS-PAGE analyses of the supernatants from cells thus treated reveals a major peak corresponding to a molecular weight of 45,000 daltons. This protein has been purified from the cell supernatants by immunoprecipitation and chromatography of the percipitates on Sephadex G-200 under dissociating conditions. After separation from the immune complex this protein can be bound to heat-aggregated IgG, but not aggregated F(ab')2 fragments. The 45,000 dalton protein appears to be the Fc receptor which has been released from the cell surface in association with the complex.     

Human monocytes, B lymphocytes, and non-B lymphocytes each have structurally unique Fc gamma receptors

Human Fc gamma-binding macromolecules were isolated from subpopulations of mononuclear cells by repetitive affinity chromatography. Mononuclear cells, nylon wool-filtered cells, plastic-nonadherent cells, and plastic-adherent cells from normal donors were radiolabeled by using 125I and lactoperoxidase. Washed cells were solubilized in 1% NP-40 buffer containing proteinase inhibitors at 0 degrees C. Fc gamma receptors were purified on human IgG-Sepharose columns by use of the repetitive affinity chromatography procedure. Analysis by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated only a 52,000 to 58,000 Mr Fc gamma receptor from nonadherent cell populations. Both rosetting and nonrosetting subpopulations of non-B lymphocytes expressed the 52,000 to 58,000 Mr receptor. The predominant Fc gamma receptor isolated from plastic-adherent cells was a 60,000 to 68,000 Mr macromolecule. Cell preparations enriched in B lymphocytes yielded prominent 43,000 Mr Fc gamma receptors. Thus human monocytes, B lymphocytes, and non-B lymphocytes each appear to have structurally distinct and unique Fc gamma receptors.     

Cell surface control of the multiubiquitination and deubiquitination of high-affinity immunoglobulin E receptors.

Multiubiquitination of proteins is a critical step leading to selective degradation for many polypeptides. Therefore, activation-induced multiubiquitination of cell surface receptors, such as the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor and the T cell antigen (TCR) receptor, may correspond to a degradation pathway for ligand-receptor complexes. Here we show that the antigen-induced engagement of high-affinity immunoglobulin E receptors (Fc epsilon RI) results in the immediate multiubiquitination of Fc epsilon RI beta and gamma chains. This ubiquitination is independent of receptor phosphorylation and is restricted to activated receptors. Surprisingly, receptor multiubiquitination is immediately reversible when receptors are disengaged. Therefore, multiubiquitination and deubiquitination of Fc epsilon RI receptors is controlled at the cell surface by receptor engagement and disengagement. The rapidity, specificity and, most importantly, the reversibility of the activation-induced receptor multiubiquitination suggest that this process may turn on/off a cell surface receptor signaling function thus far unsuspected.     

MHC Multimer-Guided and Cell Culture-Independent Isolation of Functional T Cell Receptors from Single Cells Facilitates TCR Identification for Immunotherapy

Adoptive therapy using T cells redirected to target tumor- or infection-associated antigens is a promising strategy that has curative potential and broad applicability. In order to accelerate the screening process for suitable antigen-specific T cell receptors (TCRs), we developed a new approach circumventing conventional in vitro expansion-based strategies. Direct isolation of paired full-length TCR sequences from non-expanded antigen-specific T cells was achieved by the establishment of a highly sensitive PCR-based T cell receptor single cell analysis method (TCR-SCAN). Using MHC multimer-labeled and single cell-sorted HCMV-specific T cells we demonstrate a high efficacy (approximately 25%) and target specificity of TCR-SCAN receptor identification. In combination with MHC-multimer based pre-enrichment steps, we were able to isolate TCRs specific for the oncogenes Her2/neu and WT1 even from very small populations (original precursor frequencies of down to 0.00005% of CD3⁺ T cells) without any cell culture step involved. Genetic re-expression of isolated receptors demonstrates their functionality and target specificity. We believe that this new strategy of TCR identification may provide broad access to specific TCRs for therapeutically relevant T cell epitopes.     

Establishment of an antigen-specific B cell clone by somatic hybridization

Splenic B cells of A/J mice immunized with 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (TNP)-lipopolysaccharide were fused with 2.52M, a mutant of a B cell line, in the presence of polyethylene glycol and dimethyl sulfoxide. TP67.21, a subclone of a resulting hybridoma, expresses IAk, IEk, IgM, B220, P50, and receptors for C3 fragment of complement, the Fc portion of IgG, and interleukin 2 receptor on the cell membrane; it also possesses receptor molecules for TNP on its surface, derived from TNP-reactive B cells of A/J mice primed with TNP-lipopolysaccharide used for somatic hybridization, by a rosette-forming assay with TNP-sheep erythrocytes. In contrast, parental 2.52M lacks IAk and IEk on the cell membrane and does not bind to TNP-sheep erythrocytes under the same conditions. Thus, it is likely that TP67.21 is an antigen-specific B cell clone directed against TNP. The antigen binding of cells was markedly inhibited by the specific free hapten or anti-IgM antibodies. Interestingly, TP67.21 was induced to generate a significant amount of anti-TNP antibody when treated with TNP conjugates including T cell-independent and -dependent antigens, such as TNP-lipopolysaccharide, TNP-bovine serum albumin, TNP-ovalbumin, and TNP-keyhole limpet hemocyanine in the absence of T cell help, as well as polyclonal activators; this was followed by a marked decrease in the expression of B cell surface markers on the cell membrane. This suggests that the cross-linkage of receptor molecules on TP67.21 by antigen may directly provide a differentiative signal for maturation to a lineage of B cells, and consequently results in the generation of antigen-specific antibodies without T cell involvement.     

Fractionation of T cell subsets on Ig anti-Ig columns: isolation of helper T cells from nonresponder mice, demonstration of antigen-specific T suppressor cells, and selection of CD-3 negative variants of Jurkat T cells

In the present experiments we have explored the possibilities of a modified immunoadsorbent technique to select for (1) mutagenized T cell receptor (Tcr) negative variants of Jurkat T lymphoma cells and (2) purified CD-4+ or CD-8+ T lymphocytes. The basic principle was to make large numbers of immunoglobulin (Ig) negative T cells Ig+ by T cell subset-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb), and to select such cells on Ig anti-Ig columns. Our results demonstrated that Thy-1+, Fc receptor positive, antigen-specific T cells regulate the immune response in mice nonresponders to pork insulin, and the "autologous" mixed lymphocyte reaction. In addition, the immunoadsorbent method very efficiently selects Tcr/CD-3- variants from mutagenized Jurkat cell populations incubated with anti-CD3 mAb. The described method is easy and quick and can fractionate large numbers of cells; it is the "poor-man's cell sorter." The most important finding is the demonstration of antigen-specific Thy-1+, CD-8+, and Fc receptor+ T suppressor cell that apparently react with antigen in a non-major histocompatibility complex-restricted manner.     

The antigen-binding capacity of mouse lymphocytes. II. Changes during the early immune response

The interaction of antigen with specific receptor sites of primed murine spleen lymphocytes has been estimated quantitatively. The antigen-specific receptors are restricted to a small segment of the entire spleen cell population, one which may be enriched by centrifugation of the cells in a discontinuous density gradient. The specificity of the receptors, their variable affinities for the specific ligand, their quantitative fluctuations following immunization, have been investigated. Attempts have also been initiated for their isolation. The possibility that these receptors may represent passively adherent cytophilic immunoglobulins was excluded. The results of these experiments suggest that the union of antigen with a portion of cell membrane receptors initiates a sequence of reaction steps involving DNA production and multiplication, leading to a small net synthesis of immunoglobulins. The continued presence of antigen during this period leads to complex formation with these immunoglobulins. The resulting immune complexes bind to both adherent and nonadherent cells, thereby amplifying the immune response.     

Dimers and multimers of monoclonal IgG1 exhibit higher in vitro binding affinities to Fcγ receptors

The in vitro binding of monomeric, dimeric and multimeric forms of monoclonal IgG1 molecules, designated mAb1 and mAb2, to the extracellular domains of Fcγ receptors RI, RIIA and RIIIB were investigated using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based biosensor technique. Stable noncovalent and covalent dimers of mAb1 and mAb2, respectively, were isolated from CHO cell expressed materials. The dissociation constants of monomeric mAb1 and mAb2 were determined to be 1 nM for the FcγRI-binding and 6–12 μM for the FcγRIIA- and FcγRIIIB-binding. Dimeric mAb1 and mAb2 exhibited increased affinities, by 2-3 fold for FcγRI and 200-800 fold for FcγRIIA and FcγRIIIB. Further increases in binding were observed when the antibodies formed large immune complexes with multivalent antigens, but not in a linear relation with size. The binding properties of monomeric mAb2 were identical with and without a bound monovalent antigen, indicating that antigen-binding alone does not induce measurable change in binding of antibodies to Fcγ receptors. Dimerization is sufficient to show enhancement in the receptor binding. Given the wide distribution of the low-affinity Fcγ receptors on immune effector cells, the increased affinities to aggregated IgG may lead to some biological consequences, depending on the subsequent signal transduction events. The SPR-based in vitro binding assay is useful in evaluating Fcγ receptor binding of various species in antibody-based biotherapeutics.     

Targeted antigen presentation using crosslinked antibody heteroaggregates

We have targeted protein antigens to antigen-presenting cells in vitro by using antibody heteroaggregates containing an antibody against a protein antigen covalently crosslinked to an antibody against a target structure on the surface of the antigen-presenting cells. Antigen presentation was assessed by measurement of lymphokine released by antigen-specific T cell hybridomas. Depending on the experimental conditions, the crosslinked antibodies decreased the amount of antigen required to give a response by the hybridomas by factors of 10(2) to 10(3). Enhanced presentation occurred when antigen was targeted to MHC class I and class II molecules, surface immunoglobulin, or Fc gamma receptors on the surface of the murine B cell lymphoma-hybridoma, TA3. An enhancement of antigen presentation also occurred when antigen was targeted to surface IgD, or class I and class II MHC molecules on murine splenic B cells, and when antigen was targeted to class I and class II molecules on irradiated adherent spleen cells. No response was seen when antigen was targeted to Fc gamma R on B cells or adherent spleen cells. The ability of each crosslinked antibody to enhance presentation paralleled the total amount of each that bound to the surface of the antigen-presenting cells. Antigen presentation, mediated by crosslinked antibody, was antigen-specific and I-A restricted. The presentation of one antigen by using crosslinked antibody did not result in enhanced presentation of a second, bystander antigen. These results suggest that a novel means of stimulating immune responses may be possible in vivo, by targeting antigen to surface structures on antigen-presenting cells.     

Structural studies of Fc receptors. III. Isolation and molecular weight analysis of the component chain of Fc gamma receptor of macrophage

Surface receptors of guinea pig peritoneal macrophages specific for the Fc region of IgG (Fc gamma receptor) were isolated and identified as a surface-radioiodinated component with a molecular weight of 44,000 that bound in an Fc-specific manner to IgG2 of guinea pig immunoglobulin immobilized in any of the following three different ways: IgG2 antibody in insoluble immune complex, IgG2 antibody bound to antigen-coupled Sepharose, and IgG2 covalently coupled to Sepharose. In order to obtain the Fc gamma receptor retaining the binding activity, the Fc-binding component was isolated by IgG2 affinity chromatography in which mild acidic buffer (pH 5.0-4.0) was chosen to elute the component bound to the affinity column. Forty-five to sixty-two percent of the eluted radioactivity was shown to rebind to the IgG2-affinity column. The bound fraction showed a single radioactive peak of 44,000 daltons in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The Fc-binding component isolated by the affinity chromatography behaved similarly in gel filtration in the presence of a detergent, as did the detergent-solubilized Fc gamma receptor before isolation by affinity chromatography. These results suggested that the Fc gamma receptor was isolated in a native form. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the isolated Fc gamma receptor is distinct from actin or the actin-like protein (DNase I-binding protein) which had been reported to bind to IgG-affinity column.     

Isolation of Surface Immunoglobulin from Lymphocytes from Human and Murine Thymus

CELLS capable of binding radioiodinated antigen occur in lymphocyte populations obtained from foetal and neonatal human thymus¹. In accordance with Ehrlich's hypothesis of 1900 (ref. 2), the receptors for antigen on the surface of these cells probably consist of immunoglobulin. A first step in the attainment of chemical proof of the nature of this receptor is the identification of immunoglobulin on the thymus cells. We now report the isolation of immunoglobulin from the surfaces of lymphocytes obtained from murine and neonatal human thymuses. This isolation and identification was made possible by application of a modification³ of the enzymatic iodination procedure of Marchalonis⁴ which catalysed the iodination of proteins present on the surfaces of living lymphocytes.     

Fc receptors and immunoglobulin binding factors

Receptors for the Fc portion of Ig (Fc receptors, FcR) are found on all cell types of the immune system. Three types of FcR react with IgG: Fc gamma RI is a high-affinity receptor binding IgG monomers whereas Fc gamma RII and Fc gamma RIII are low-affinity receptors binding IgG immune complexes; the three types of Fc gamma R are members of the Ig superfamily. Two FcR react with IgE:Fc epsilon RI is a multichain receptor binding IgE with high affinity; it is composed of an IgE-binding alpha chain, homologous to Fc gamma RIII, and of gamma and beta chains that are necessary for receptor expression and signal transduction. The low-affinity Fc epsilon RII is the only FcR described so far that is not a member of the Ig superfamily but resembles animal lectins; it is composed of a transmembrane chain with an intracytoplasmic NH2 terminus. Fc alpha R has homology with Fc gamma R and is a member of the Ig superfamily. Receptors for IgM and IgD are not characterized yet. Finally, Ig transport is made by FcR-like molecules such as the poly-Ig receptor or an MHC-like receptor found on neonatal intestine. A remarkable property of most FcR is the fact that they are released in cell supernatants and circulate in biological fluids as immunoglobulin binding factors (IBF) generated either by cleavage at the cell membrane or by splicing of FcR transmembrane exon. Immunoglobulin binding factors may interfere with Ig-mediated functions and have direct immunoregulatory activities. Involvement of FcR or IBF has been postulated in several diseases, and monoclonal antibodies to FcR are beginning to be used in therapeutics, particularly to target cytotoxic effector lymphocytes and monocytes to tumor cells.     

Macrophage-T cell interactions. IV. A new receptor on T cells: Ia antigens as receptors for Ig-antigen complexes which appear early after immunization.

The Fc-receptor-positive T cells have been shown to bear a new receptor which is involved in the uptake of cytophilic complexes of Ig and antigen which are detected in the serum of mice within 6 hr following immunization. It was shown that the Fc receptor on T cells is not necessary for the uptake of these complexes. This new receptor is labile during culture of the T cells in vitro and disappears together with the Fc receptors. The new receptor is taken up by the T cells from a macrophage supernate. The evidence presented suggests that the receptor for these complexes bears determinants coded by the I region of the major histocompatibility complex but is distinct from conventional Fc receptor in that it does not bind to Fc fragments of Ig.     

Isolation and partial characterization of a type II Fe receptor from a group A streptococcus

A group A streptococcal strain rich in Fc receptors was selected by an immunoblotting technique and used as the source for isolation of a functionally active Fc receptor. A variety of extraction techniques were compared including (1) heat extraction at neutral, acid or alkaline pH, (2) treatment with the enzymes mutanolysin, hyaluronidase, trypsin, papain or phage lysin, or (3) autoclaving or heating in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The most homogeneous receptor was recovered following heat extraction and contained two molecular weight forms. The major form had a molecular weight of 56 000 daltons and the minor form had a molecular weight of 38 000 daltons. These two proteins could be isolated without loss of activity by binding to and elution from a column of immobilized human IgG. An antibody prepared against a single form of the affinity purified receptor demonstrated reactivity with both molecular weight forms of the heat extracted receptor. The group A receptor was found to be both antigenically and physicochemically distinct from either the type I receptor found on the majority of Staphylococcus aureus strains or the type III Fc receptors found on the majority of group C streptococcal strains.