Interaction of iC3b with recombinant isotypic and chimeric forms of CR2.

CR2 is a component of a signal transduction complex on B lymphocytes that augments B cell responses to Ag. We have quantitatively assessed binding by the two isotypic forms of CR2 for two of its ligands, the polymerized iC3b (p(iC3b)) fragment of C3, and gp350/220, the EBV membrane protein. The recombinant 15-SCR or 16-SCR forms of CR2 bound p(iC3b) with identical affinities. Full binding activity of CR2 for p(iC3b) was observed with a chimera comprised of SCR-1 and -2 of CR2 fused to SCR-17 through -30 of CR1. Therefore, the alternatively spliced SCR-10a has no role in binding p(iC3b), and the binding activity of wild type receptor for iC3b can be reconstituted with SCR-1 and -2 of CR2. The binding affinities of the two isoforms of CR2 for soluble gp350/220 were also similar. Additional sites in the C3c region of C3 have been postulated also to interact with CR2. However, monomeric iC3b and C3d were equally effective in inhibiting the binding of p(iC3b) to CR2, indicating that the C3c region of iC3b does not contribute to the interaction of iC3b with CR2. Finally, the relative abilities of C3b and iC3b to bind to CR1 and CR2 were compared. The conversion of C3b to iC3b generated a ligand with an approximate 100-fold decrease in affinity for CR1 and a 10-fold increased affinity for CR2, resulting in a 1000-fold greater likelihood for binding to the latter receptor that may then promote B cell activation.     

Epitope mapping using the X-ray crystallographic structure of complement receptor type 2 (CR2)/CD21: identification of a highly inhibitory monoclonal antibody that directly recognizes the CR2-C3d interface.

Complement receptor type 2 (CR2)/CD21 is a B lymphocyte cell membrane C3d/iC3b receptor that plays a central role in the immune response. Human CR2 is also the receptor for the EBV viral membrane glycoprotein gp350/220. Both C3d and gp350/220 bind CR2 within the first two of 15-16 repetitive domains that have been designated short consensus/complement repeats. Many mAbs react with human CR2; however, only one currently available mAb is known to block both C3d/iC3b and gp350/220 binding. We have used a recombinant form of human CR2 containing the short consensus/complement repeat 1-2 ligand-binding fragment to immunize Cr2(-/-) mice. Following fusion, we identified and further characterized four new anti-CR2 mAbs that recognize this fragment. Three of these inhibited binding of CR2 to C3d and gp350/220 in different forms. We have determined the relative inhibitory ability of the four mAbs to block ligand binding, and we have used overlapping peptide-based approaches to identify linear epitopes recognized by the inhibitory mAbs. Placement of these epitopes on the recently solved crystal structure of the CR2-C3d complex reveals that each inhibitory mAb recognizes a site either within or adjacent to the CR2-C3d contact site. One new mAb, designated 171, blocks CR2 receptor-ligand interactions with the greatest efficiency and recognizes a portion of the C3d contact site on CR2. Thus, we have created an anti-human CR2 mAb that blocks the C3d ligand by direct contact with its interaction site, and we have provided confirmatory evidence that the C3d binding site seen in its crystal structure exists in solution.     

Analysis of C3-receptor activity on human B-lymphocytes and isolation of the complement receptor type 2 (CR2).

The rosetting of defined C3-fragment-coated sheep erythrocytes to B-cell-enriched tonsil lymphocytes was measured. The rosetting lymphocytes were homogeneous with respect to expression of C3b, iC3b and C3d receptors. Isolation of receptors for C3 fragments from surface-radioiodinated lymphocytes by affinity chromatography on immobilized C3u, iC3b and C3d,g produced two proteins with partially overlapping specificities. A protein of 240 000 Mr, recognized by the monoclonal antibody To5 and identified as CR1 (complement receptor type 1), had affinity for C3u and iC3b. A protein of 145 000 Mr, recognized by the monoclonal antibody B2, had affinity for all three C3 fragments. Inhibition of rosetting by antibodies to these proteins indicates that CR1 is responsible for C3b-mediated rosetting and that the 145000-Mr receptor (CR2) is responsible for C3d-mediated rosetting. Partial inhibition by both anti-CR1 and anti-CR2 antibodies of iC3b-mediated rosetting indicates that both receptors are involved in iC3b-mediated rosetting. No other protein appears to be involved in tonsil B-cell rosetting to C3-fragment-coated cells. A method for preparing CR2 from tonsil lymphocytes based on affinity chromatography on C3d,g-Sepharose has been developed. Forty tonsil pairs (2 X 10(10) B-cells) yield about 40 micrograms of pure protein equivalent to a purification of 6500-fold from a detergent extract.     

Isolating the Epstein-Barr virus gp350/220 binding site on complement receptor type 2 (CR2/CD21)

Complement receptor type 2 (CR2/CD21) is essential for the attachment of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) to the surface of B-lymphocytes in an interaction mediated by the viral envelope glycoprotein gp350. The heavily glycosylated structure of EBV gp350 has recently been elucidated by x-ray crystallography, and the CR2 binding site on this protein has been characterized. To identify the corresponding gp350 binding site on CR2, we have undertaken a site-directed mutagenesis study targeting regions of CR2 that have previously been implicated in the binding of CR2 to the C3d/C3dg fragments of complement component C3. Wild-type or mutant forms of CR2 were expressed on K562 cells, and the ability of these CR2-expressing cells to bind gp350 was measured using flow cytometry. Mutations directed toward the two N-terminal extracellular domains of CR2 (SCR1-2) reveal that a large contiguous surface of CR2 SCR1-2 is involved in gp350 binding, including a number of positively charged residues (Arg-13, (Arg-28, (Arg-36, Lys-41, Lys-57, Lys-67, and Arg-83). These data appear to complement the CR2 binding site on gp350, which is characterized by a preponderance of negative charge. In addition to identifying the importance of charge in the formation of a CR2-gp350 complex, we also provide evidence that both SCR1 and SCR2 make contact with gp350. Specifically, two anti-CR2 monoclonal antibodies, designated as monoclonal antibodies 171 and 1048 whose primary epitopes are located within SCR2, inhibit binding of wild-type CR2 to EBV gp350; with regard to SCR1, both K562 cells expressing an S15P mutation and recombinant S15P CR2 proteins exhibit diminished gp350 binding.     

Structure-guided identification of C3d residues essential for its binding to complement receptor 2 (CD21)

A vital role for complement in adaptive humoral immunity is now beyond dispute. The crucial interaction is that between B cell and follicular dendritic cell-resident complement receptor 2 (CR2, CD21) and its Ag-associated ligands iC3b and C3dg, where the latter have been deposited as a result of classical pathway activation. Despite the obvious importance of this interaction, the location of a CR2 binding site within C3d, a proteolytic limit fragment of C3dg retaining CR2 binding activity, has not been firmly established. The recently determined x-ray structure of human C3d suggested a candidate site that was remote from the site of covalent attachment to Ag and consisted of an acidic residue-lined depression, which accordingly displays a significant electronegative surface potential. These attributes were consistent with the known ionic strength dependence of the CR2-C3d interaction and with the fact that a significant electropositive surface was apparent in a modeled structure of the C3d-binding domains of CR2. Therefore, we have performed an alanine scan of all of the residues within and immediately adjacent to the acidic pocket in C3d. By testing the mutant iC3b molecules for their ability to bind CR2, we have identified two separate clusters of residues on opposite sides of the acidic pocket, specifically E37/E39 and E160/D163/I164/E166, as being important CR2-contacting residues in C3d. Within the second cluster even single mutations cause near total loss of CR2 binding activity. Consistent with the proposed oppositely charged nature of the interface, we have also found that removal of a positive charge immediately adjacent to the acidic pocket (mutant K162A) results in a 2-fold enhancement in CR2 binding activity.     

Characterization of human complement receptor type 2 (CR2/CD21) as a receptor for IFN-alpha: a potential role in systemic lupus erythematosus

Human complement receptor type 2 (CR2/CD21) is a B lymphocyte membrane glycoprotein that plays a central role in the immune responses to foreign Ags as well as the development of autoimmunity to nuclear Ags in systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition to these three well-characterized ligands, C3d/iC3b, EBV-gp350, and CD23, a previous study has identified CR2 as a potential receptor for IFN-alpha. IFN-alpha, a multifunctional cytokine important in the innate immune system, has recently been proposed to play a major pathogenic role in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus in humans and mice. In this study, we have shown using surface plasmon resonance and ELISA approaches that CR2 will bind IFN-alpha in the same affinity range as the other three well-characterized ligands studied in parallel. In addition, we show that IFN-alpha interacts with short consensus repeat domains 1 and 2 in a region that serves as the ligand binding site for C3d/iC3b, EBV-gp350, and CD23. Finally, we show that treatment of purified human peripheral blood B cells with the inhibitory anti-CR2 mAb 171 diminishes the induction of IFN-alpha-responsive genes. Thus, IFN-alpha represents a fourth class of extracellular ligands for CR2 and interacts with the same domain as the other three ligands. Defining the role of CR2 as compared with the well-characterized type 1 IFN-alpha receptor 1 and 2 in mediating innate immune and autoimmune roles of this cytokine should provide additional insights into the biologic roles of this interaction.     

Elevated NK-mediated lysis of Raji and Daudi cells carrying fixed iC3b fragments

Raji and Daudi cells were opsonized with C3b, iC3b, and C3d fragments by using purified complement components. The sensitivity of C3-opsonized cells to lysis mediated by low density blood lymphocytes was studied. Raji and Daudi cells carrying C3b or C3d fragments were lysed with similar efficiencies as the nonopsonized cells. The presence of iC3b on the target surface imposed elevated NK sensitivity. The iC3b-mediated enhancement of NK lysis was inhibited when iC3b fragments or rabbit anti-human C3 antibodies were included into the lytic assays. These results indicate that the iC3b fragments fixed on the targets bind to the CR3 on the lymphocytes. Results obtained in immobilized conjugate-lytic assays showed that iC3b-opsonized targets interact more readily with the lymphocytes. This was reflected by the elevated proportion of lymphocytes that were bound to the iC3b-carrying targets. The proportions of conjugates in which target damage occurred were similar with the control and with the iC3b-carrying cells. It seems therefore that opsonization of targets with iC3b leads to recruitment of effector lymphocytes due to contact with their CR3. However, once the effector-target contact is established, the triggering of lytic function does not seem to be influenced by the iC3b/CR3 bridge.     

Neutrophils express a receptor for iC3b, C3dg, and C3d that is distinct from CR1, CR2, and CR3

In the present study we examined human neutrophils for the expression of a receptor capable of binding C3dg and defined the relationship of this receptor to those that have been previously described, namely CR1, CR2, and CR3. C3dg was isolated from serum depleted of plasminogen, supplemented with 20 mM Mg++, and incubated at 37 degrees C for 6 to 8 days. The purified protein was homogeneous when analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and exhibited an apparent m.w. of 41,000. C3dg was polymerized by treatment with dimethyl suberimidate, and the dimer was isolated by gel filtration. Binding of both monomeric and dimeric 125I-labeled C3dg to neutrophils was saturable, and the latter ligand bound to an average of 12,400 sites/cell among nine normal individuals. At 4 degrees C, bound monomeric C3dg dissociated from neutrophils with an average t1/2 of 30 min, whereas dimeric C3dg dissociated with a t1/2 in excess of 120 min. Specific binding of multimeric C3dg was cation independent and was competitively inhibited by molar concentrations of iC3b and C3d that were equivalent to the inhibitory concentrations of unlabeled C3dg; C3b was less able to compete with C3dg for binding to these sites. The capacity of this neutrophil receptor to bind iC3b, C3dg, and C3d suggested its possible identity as CR2 or CR3. However, no specific binding to neutrophils of 125I-labeled HB-5 monoclonal anti-CR2 was detected. Furthermore, uptake of 125I-labeled C3dg was not inhibited by saturating concentrations of rabbit anti-CR1, anti-Mac-1, or OKM10. Thus, a receptor resides on neutrophils that binds the C3d region of iC3b and C3dg and is distinct from CR1, CR2, and CR3.     

Factor I-mediated processing of complement fragments on HIV immune complexes targets HIV to CR2-expressing B cells and facilitates B cell-mediated transmission of opsonized HIV to T cells

Our study demonstrates that binding of complement-opsonized HIV to complement receptor type 1 on human erythrocytes (E) via C3b fragments is followed by a rapid normal human serum-mediated detachment of HIV from E. The release was dependent on the presence of factor I indicating a conversion of C3b fragments to iC3b and C3d on the viral surface. This in turn resulted in an efficient binding of opsonized HIV to CR2-expressing B cells, thus facilitating B cell-mediated transmission of HIV to T cells. These data provide a new dynamic view of complement opsonization of HIV, suggesting that association of virus with E might be a transient phenomenon and the factor I-mediated processing of C3b to iC3b and C3d on HIV targets the virus to complement receptor type 2-expressing cells. Thus, factor I in concert with CR1 on E and factor H in serum due to their cofactor activity are likely to be important contributors for the generation of C3d-opsonized infectious HIV reservoirs on follicular dendritic cells and/or B cells in HIV-infected individuals.     

Identification of an epitope in the major envelope protein of Epstein-Barr virus that mediates viral binding to the B lymphocyte EBV receptor (CR2)

The Epstein-Barr virus gp350/220 envelope protein mediates virus attachment to the EBV/C3dg receptor (CR2) of human B lymphocytes. Synthetic peptides corresponding to two regions in gp350/220, which have a similar amino acid sequence with the complement C3dg protein, were used to identify a receptor binding epitope. A peptide corresponding to the N terminus of gp350/220, EDPGFFNVE, bound to purified CR2 and to CR2 positive but not CR2 negative B and T lymphoblastoid cell lines. Soluble monomeric gp350/220 peptide blocked CR2 binding to immobilized EBV, while multimeric forms of the N-terminal gp350/220 peptide conjugated to albumin efficiently blocked recombinant gp350/220 and C3dg binding to B cells as well as EBV-induced B cell proliferation and transformation. These studies indicate that the N-terminal region of gp350/220 plays a crucial role in mediating the earliest stages of EBV infection of B cells and provides a molecular basis for the restricted host cell EBV tropism.     

Mutagenesis of the Arg-Gly-Asp triplet in human complement component C3 does not abolish binding of iC3b to the leukocyte integrin complement receptor type III (CR3, CD11b/CD18).

The leukocyte integrin complement receptor type III (CR3, CD11b/CD18) binds the C3 cleavage product iC3b. Many other integrins bind their ligands via an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) triplet. Both the RGD-containing C3 peptide 1390TRYRGDQDATMS1401 (pro-C3 numbering) and the RGD-like fibrinogen peptide GGAKQAGDV, which binds to the platelet integrin glycoprotein IIb-IIIa, were shown to inhibit the iC3b-CR3 interaction, suggesting that this binding is also RGD-mediated (Wright, S.D., Weitz, J.I., Huang, A. J., Levin, S.M., Silverstein, S.C., and Loike, J.D. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85, 7734-7738). However, unlike other integrin-ligand interactions, that of CR3 and iC3b is unaffected by the hexapeptide GRGDSP, and substitutions in the RGD triplet of C3 from other species appear to be tolerated. It was, therefore, proposed (Grossberger, D., Marcuz, A., du Pasquier, L., and Lambris, J.D. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86, 1323-1327) that the highly conserved DATMS portion of the inhibitory C3 peptide may have been responsible for its binding. To address these inconsistencies and directly assess the role of the 1390-1401 segment within the complete iC3b molecule in mediating binding to CR3, a human C3 cDNA was altered by site-directed mutagenesis and the expressed recombinant proteins were examined in a CR3-specific assay. Replacement of RGD by AAA did not abolish rosetting of the corresponding iC3b-coated erythrocytes to human CR3-bearing leukocytes. In addition, mutant iC3b molecules in which the positively charged R1391 (corresponding to K in the fibrinogen peptide) and the highly conserved 1397DATMS sequence were replaced by Q and NAAMA respectively, were still bound by CR3. We conclude that the iC3b-CR3 interaction is not mediated by the RGD triplet or its neighboring residues.     

Identification of gp350 as the viral glycoprotein mediating attachment of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) to the EBV/C3d receptor of B cells: sequence homology of gp350 and C3 complement fragment C3d.

The major Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) envelope glycoprotein, gp350, was purified from the B95-8 cell line and analyzed for its ability to mediate virus attachment to the isolated EBV/C3d receptor (CR2) of human B lymphocytes. Purified gp350 and EBV, but not cytomegalovirus, exhibited dose-dependent binding to purified CR2 in dot blot immunoassays. Binding was inhibited by certain monoclonal antibodies to CR2 and to gp350. Liposomes bearing incorporated gp350 bound to CR2-positive B-cell lines but not to CR2-negative lines. Liposome binding was also inhibited by the OKB7 anti-CR2 monoclonal antibody. A computer-generated comparison of the deduced gp350 amino acid sequence with that of the human C3d complement fragment revealed two regions of significant primary sequence homology, a finding which suggests that a common region on these two unrelated proteins may be involved in CR2 binding.     

Structural studies in solution of the recombinant N-terminal pair of short consensus/complement repeat domains of complement receptor type 2 (CR2/CD21) and interactions with its ligand C3dg

Human complement receptor type 2 (CR2, CD21) is a cell surface receptor that binds three distinct ligands (complement C3d, Epstein-Barr virus gp350/220, and the low-affinity IgE receptor CD23) via the N-terminal two of fifteen or sixteen short consensus/complement repeat (SCR) domains. Here, we report biophysical studies of the CR2 SCR 1-2 domain binding to its ligand C3dg. Two recombinant forms of CR2 containing the SCR 1-2 and SCR 1-15 domains were expressed in high yield in Pichia pastoris and baculovirus, respectively. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that CR2 SCR 1-2 receptor possessed a beta-sheet secondary structure with a melting temperature of 59 degrees C. Using surface plasmon resonance, kinetic parameters for the binding of either CR2 SCR 1-2 or the full-length SCR 1-15 form of CR2 showed that the affinity of binding to immobilized C3d is comparable for the SCR 1-15 compared to the SCR 1-2 form of CR2. Unexpectedly, both the association and dissociation rates for the SCR 1-15 form were slower than for the SCR 1-2 form. These data show that the SCR 1-2 domains account for the primary C3dg binding site of CR2 and that the additional SCR domains of full-length CR2 influence the ability of CR2 SCR 1-2 to interact with its ligand. Studies of the pH and ionic strength dependence of the interaction between SCR 1-2 and C3d by surface plasmon resonance showed that this is influenced by charged interactions, possibly involving the sole His residue in CR2 SCR 1-2. Sedimentation equilibrium studies of CR2 SCR 1-2 gave molecular weights of 17 000, in good agreement with its sequence-derived molecular weight to show that this was monomeric. Its sedimentation coefficient was determined to be 1.36 S. The complex with C3d gave molecular weights in 50 mM and 200 mM NaCl buffer that agreed closely with its sequence-derived molecular weight of 50 600 and showed that a 1:1 complex had been formed. Molecular graphics views of homology models for the separate CR2 SCR 1 and SCR 2 domains showed that both SCR domains exhibited a distribution of charged groups throughout its surface. The single His residue is located near a long eight-residue linker between the two SCR domains and may influence the linker conformation and the association of C3d and CR2 SCR 1-2 into their complex. Sedimentation modeling showed that the arrangement of the two SCR domains in CR2 SCR 1-2 is highly extended in solution.     

Delineation of the complement receptor type 2-C3d complex by site-directed mutagenesis and molecular docking

The interactions between the complement receptor type 2 (CR2) and the C3 complement fragments C3d, C3dg, and iC3b are essential for the initiation of a normal immune response. A crystal-derived structure of the two N-terminal short consensus repeat (SCR1-2) domains of CR2 in complex with C3d has previously been elucidated. However, a number of biochemical and biophysical studies targeting both CR2 and C3d appear to be in conflict with these structural data. Previous mutagenesis and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy studies directed toward the C3d-binding site on CR2 have indicated that the CR2-C3d cocrystal structure may represent an encounter/intermediate or nonphysiological complex. With regard to the CR2-binding site on C3d, mutagenesis studies by Isenman and coworkers [Isenman, D. E., Leung, E., Mackay, J. D., Bagby, S. & van den Elsen, J. M. H. (2010). Mutational analyses reveal that the staphylococcal immune evasion molecule Sbi and complement receptor 2 (CR2) share overlapping contact residues on C3d: Implications for the controversy regarding the CR2/C3d cocrystal structure. J. Immunol. 184, 1946-1955] have implicated an electronegative “concave” surface on C3d in the binding process. This surface is discrete from the CR2-C3d interface identified in the crystal structure.We generated a total of 18 mutations targeting the two (X-ray crystallographic- and mutagenesis-based) proposed CR2 SCR1-2 binding sites on C3d. Using ELISA analyses, we were able to assess binding of mutant forms of C3d to CR2. Mutations directed toward the concave surface of C3d result in substantially compromised CR2 binding. By contrast, targeting the CR2-C3d interface identified in the cocrystal structure and the surrounding area results in significantly lower levels of disruption in binding. Molecular modeling approaches used to investigate disparities between the biochemical data and the X-ray structure of the CR2-C3d cocrystal result in highest-scoring solutions in which CR2 SCR1-2 is docked within the concave surface of C3d.     

Hydrodynamic, electron microscopic, and ligand-binding analysis of the Epstein-Barr virus/C3dg receptor (CR2)

The interaction of the Epstein-Barr virus/45-kDa proteolytic fragment of C3 (C3dg) receptor (CR2) with its viral ligand, the Epstein-Barr virus glycoprotein gp350/220, initiates the sequence of events leading to virus internalization and B lymphocyte transformation. Soluble recombinant receptor (rCR2) and gp350/220 as well as the natural ligand, C3dg, were subjected to a number of analytical techniques including gel permeation chromatography, density gradient ultracentrifugation, circular dichroism, and electron microscopy in order to determine their hydrodynamic, structural, and binding properties. Both rCR2 and gp350/220 were found to be highly extended proteins (f/fo = 2.1 and 2.4/2.2, respectively). C3dg, in contrast to the viral ligand, is only somewhat elongated (f/fo = 1.5). Soluble rCR2, visualized by high resolution electron microscopy, was shown to be an extended, highly flexible molecule comprised of ringlet domains, each approximately 24.1 A in length, which likely correspond to the short consensus repeat motif deduced from the CR2 cDNA nucleotide sequence. Ligand-binding studies carried out under physiological conditions indicated that gp350/220 binding to rCR2 was saturable and univalent, with a dissociation constant of 3.2 nM. In contrast, monomeric C3dg did not bind to rCR2 under physiological conditions; however, at reduced ionic strength, monomeric C3dg binding could be measured. These studies indicate that the affinity of the C3dg monomer for rCR2 under physiologic conditions is approximately 10(4)-fold less than that of the viral ligand. The molecular properties of rCR2 revealed in these studies provide essential information for future studies of the biologic functions of the Epstein-Barr virus/C3dg receptor.     

Biophysical Investigations of Complement Receptor 2 (CD21 and CR2)-Ligand Interactions Reveal Amino Acid Contacts Unique to Each Receptor-Ligand Pair

Human complement receptor type 2 (CR2 and CD21) is a cell membrane receptor, with 15 or 16 extracellular short consensus repeats (SCRs), that promotes B lymphocyte responses and bridges innate and acquired immunity. The most distally located SCRs, SCR1–2, mediate the interaction of CR2 with its four known ligands (C3d, EBV gp350, IFNα, and CD23). To ascertain specific interacting residues on CR2, we utilized NMR studies wherein gp350 and IFNα were titrated into ¹⁵N-labeled SCR1–2, and chemical shift changes indicative of specific inter-molecular interactions were identified. With backbone assignments made, the chemical shift changes were mapped onto the crystal structure of SCR1–2. With regard to gp350, the binding region of CR2 is primarily focused on SCR1 and the inter-SCR linker, specifically residues Asn¹¹, Arg¹³, Ala²², Arg²⁸, Ser³², Arg³⁶, Lys⁴¹, Lys⁵⁷, Tyr⁶⁴, Lys⁶⁷, Tyr⁶⁸, Arg⁸³, Gly⁸⁴, and Arg⁸⁹. With regard to IFNα, the binding is similar to the CR2-C3d interaction with specific residues being Arg¹³, Tyr¹⁶, Arg²⁸, Ser⁴², Lys⁴⁸, Lys⁵⁰, Tyr⁶⁸, Arg⁸³, Gly⁸⁴, and Arg⁸⁹. We also report thermodynamic properties of each ligand-receptor pair determined using isothermal titration calorimetry. The CR2-C3d interaction was characterized as a two-mode binding interaction with K_d values of 0.13 and 160 μm, whereas the CR2-gp350 and CR2-IFNα interactions were characterized as single site binding events with affinities of 0.014 and 0.035 μm, respectively. The compilation of chemical binding maps suggests specific residues on CR2 that are uniquely important in each of these three binding interactions.     

Moieties of Complement iC3b Recognized by the I-domain of Integrin αXβ2

Complement fragment iC3b serves as a major opsonin for facilitating phagocytosis via its interaction with complement receptors CR3 and CR4, also known by their leukocyte integrin family names, αMβ2 and αXβ2, respectively. Although there is general agreement that iC3b binds to the αM and αX I-domains of the respective β2-integrins, much less is known regarding the regions of iC3b contributing to the αX I-domain binding. In this study, using recombinant αX I-domain, as well as recombinant fragments of iC3b as candidate binding partners, we have identified two distinct binding moieties of iC3b for the αX I-domain. They are the C3 convertase-generated N-terminal segment of the C3b α’-chain (α’NT) and the factor I cleavage-generated N-terminal segment in the CUBf region of α-chain. Additionally, we have found that the CUBf segment is a novel binding moiety of iC3b for the αM I-domain. The CUBf segment shows about a 2-fold higher binding activity than the α’NT for αX I-domain. We also have shown the involvement of crucial acidic residues on the iC3b side of the interface and basic residues on the I-domain side.     

Epstein Barr virus/complement C3d receptor is an interferon alpha receptor.

Interferon alpha contains a sequence motif similar to the complement receptor type two (CR2/CD21) binding site on complement fragment C3d. Antibodies against a peptide with the CR2 binding sequence on C3d react with a peptide carrying the IFN alpha CR2 binding motif (residues 92-99) and with recombinant IFN alpha. The IFN alpha-derived peptide, as well as recombinant IFN alpha, inhibits C3bi/C3d interaction with CR2 on the Burkitt lymphoma Raji. The direct interaction of IFN alpha and CR2 is inhibited by polyclonal anti-IFN alpha, anti-CR2 and anti-C3d peptide antibodies as well as by C3bi/C3d, EBV coat protein gp350/220 and IFN but not by IFN gamma. [125I]IFN alpha binding to Raji cells is inhibited by polyclonal anti-IFN alpha and anti-CR2 antibodies, by peptides with the CR2 binding motif and partially by C3bi/C3d. Monoclonal anti-CR2 antibody HB5, but not OKB-7, blocks IFN alpha binding to Raji cells. CR2 or CR2-like molecules may therefore be the major IFN alpha receptors on B lymphocytes.     

Potentiation of NK cytotoxicity by antibody-C3b/iC3b heteroconjugates

The interaction of two Burkitt lymphoma lines, Raji and Rael, with human C and NK cells was analyzed. Raji cells activate the alternative C pathway (ACP) and then bind C3 fragments. Consequently, the cells become more sensitive to lysis by CR3-bearing NK cells but not to C lysis. In contrast, Rael cells are poor ACP activators, do not bind C3 fragments, and are therefore resistant to C-dependent NK lysis. As suggested earlier, the difference between Raji and Rael could be attributed to the presence or absence of CR2, respectively, on their surface. To potentiate C- and NK-dependent lysis of target cells, we generated heteroconjugates composed of a murine antitransferrin receptor mAb and of human C C3b or iC3b. Antibody-C3b conjugates induced C3 deposition on Rael cells and elevated C3 deposition on Raji cells in human serum. Both Raji and Rael cells coated with antibody-C3b conjugates were efficiently lyzed by the cytolytic ACP in human serum. This conjugate had a small enhancing effect on target cell lysis by NK cells which could be markedly increased by combined treatment of the target cell with antibody-C3b conjugate and C5-depleted human serum. On the other hand, antibody-iC3b conjugates efficiently potentiated lysis of target cells by NK cells in the absence of serum. The iC3b-directed cytotoxicity was mediated by CR3-bearing NK effector cells. Anti-C3 but not anti-mouse Ig antibodies abrogated the activity of the antibody-iC3b conjugate. These results further demonstrate that NK cytotoxicity may be potentiated by opsonizing the target cells with C3 fragments and suggest that antibody-C3b/iC3b conjugates could be potent tools for targeting and potentiation of the lytic action of both C and NK cells against tumor cells.     

C1q and C4b bind simultaneously to CR1 and additively support erythrocyte adhesion.

Previously, we showed that soluble C1q bound specifically to CR1 on transfected cells. If the CR1-C1q interaction were to participate in immune complex clearance, then this interaction should support E adhesion. Using a tip plate adhesion assay, we found that immobilized C1q mediated adhesion of human E. E binding to C1q was specifically inhibited by polyclonal anti-CR1 Fab fragments. Intact C1 was not efficient as an adherence ligand until it was treated with EDTA or the C1 inhibitor to remove the C1r2C1s2 complex from C1, leaving C1q. Titration of C1q alone, C4b alone, and C1q + C4b indicated that the two complement ligands were additive in their ability to support CR1-mediated adhesion of E. Analysis of binding to immobilized CR1 using a BIAcore instrument documented that C1q, C4b, and C3b binding were independent events. Additionally, C1q-dependent binding of immune complexes and heat-aggregated IgG to E was documented. These experiments confirm that the immune adherence receptor in humans, CR1, is the single receptor for all of the opsonic ligands of complement, provide evidence for a single C1q binding site on LHR-D of CR1, and suggest that C1q may participate in immune clearance.