Decreased Fc receptor avidity and degradative function of monocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

We studied the binding and degradation of stable, soluble heat aggregates of 125I-IgG (A-IgG) by monocytes from 30 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 30 normals. Relative avidities (KE) for Fc receptor (FcR) binding of A-IgG and maximal binding of A-IgG by monocytes were determined from Scatchard plots of binding data obtained at 4 degrees C. Rates of degradation (Vmax) of A-IgG at 37 degrees C were calculated from Lineweaver-Burke plots of the Michaelis-Menton equation. KE were decreased in SLE monocytes (15.5 X 10(-9) L/M) as compared with normals (20.1 X 10(-9) L/M, p less than 0.005) and Vmax were decreased for SLE (0.89 ng/hr) as compared with normals (1.11 ng/hr, p less than 0.005). The maximal FcR binding by SLE monocytes was not statistically different in SLE patients and normals, but monocytes from SLE patients with active disease showed a lower maximal binding capacity for A-IgG (4.9 ng/10(5) cells) than normals (5.4 ng/10(5) cells, p less than 0.05). KE and Vmax in SLE were also lower for patients with active disease than for normal subjects. KE in patients whose anti-ssDNA binding was greater than 20% were lower than for those with DNA binding of less than 20% (p less than 0.005). These data suggest that patients with active SLE have diminished numbers of available FcR on their circulating monocytes, possibly due to interiorization of FcR during endocytosis of endogenous circulating immune complexes.     

Selective modulation of two human monocyte Fc receptors for IgG by immobilized immune complexes

Two types of IgG FcR, FcRI and FcRII, are constitutively expressed by human monocytes. FcRI (identified by mAb 32.2) binds human (h) IgG, FcRII (identified by mAb IV.3) has a low affinity for hIgG but interacts strongly with murine (m) IgG1. These receptors can be assayed by using indicator E sensitized by hIgG (EA-hIgG) or mIgG1 (EA-mIgG1), respectively. We further characterized these two FcR by modulation studies by using substrate-immobilized immune complexes containing rabbit IgG, goat IgG, or one of the mouse Ig classes or subclasses. After incubating monocytes in microtiter wells containing such immune complexes, binding of the two types of indicator red cells on the apical surface of the monocytes was quantitated using a photometric assay employing the pseudoperoxidase activity of E. No effect on the binding of sensitized E was observed after incubation of monocytes with immune complexes containing mouse IgE, IgA, or IgM, or F(ab')2 fragments of rabbit IgG. High concentrations of immune complexes containing IgG of mouse, rabbit, or goat, however, were able to induce a decrease in binding of both types of sensitized E, suggestive of modulation of both FcRI and FcRII. At lower concentrations of immune complexes, more selective patterns of modulation emerged. Under these conditions, immune complexes containing mIgG1 or mIgG2b, or, surprisingly, goat IgG induced a selective decrease in the binding of EA-mIgG1 (FcRII modulation), while immune complexes containing mIgG2a or rabbit IgG mainly affected the binding of EA-hIgG (FcRI modulation). By using anti-FcR mAb IV.3, it was confirmed that FcRII was modulated from the apical surface of monocytes after incubation on immune complex coated substrates. Selectivity of FcR-modulation was demonstrated by showing that under these conditions binding of anti-C receptor mAb, and several other anti-monocyte mAb did not decrease.     

Antagonistic and additive effects of IL-4 and interferon-gamma on human monocytes and macrophages: effects on Fc receptors, HLA-D antigens, and superoxide production

During an immune response a multitude of lymphokines are produced which modulate the function of mononuclear phagocytes. In this study, we investigated possible additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects of three lymphokines, IL-4 (1-100 U/ml, 0.01-1 ng/ml), interferon-gamma (IFN) (1-100 U/ml) and IL-2 (30-300 U/ml) on Fc receptors (FcR1 and FcR2), complement receptors (CR3 and CR4), and HLA-D antigens (HLA-DR and HLA-DQ) on human monocytes and macrophages. Exposure of monocytes to IL-4 alone resulted in changes in the expression of all these receptors. Both FcR1 and FcR2 were downregulated in a dose-dependent manner while the expression of CR3, CR4, HLA-DR, and HLA-DQ was increased. Antagonistic effects of IL-4 and IFN were observed on FcR1 and FcR2; IL-4-induced downregulation of the FcR1 and FcR2 was inhibited by IFN, and vice versa, IFN-induced upregulation of FcR1 and FcR2 was inhibited by IL-4. Phagocytosis of particulate immune complexes (EAs) as well as production of superoxide (O2-) in response to EAs were inhibited by IL-4, and the inhibition was reversed by IFN. Antagonistic effects of IL-4 and IFN were also observed on CR3 and CR4 expression. Additive effects of IL-4 and IFN were on the other hand seen on HLA-DR and HLA-DQ expression as well as on O2- production in response to stimulation with phorbol ester (PMA). The addition of IL-2 to IL-4 and/or IFN-containing cultures had no further modulatory effect on receptor expression or O2- production. In vitro matured macrophages (M phi) had a similar response pattern to IL-4 and IFN as the freshly isolated monocytes. Alveolar macrophages (AM phi), on the other hand, did not modulate FcR1 and HLA-DQ in response to IL-4, and downregulated FcR2 in response to IFN. Antagonistic effects of the two factors were only seen on CR expression. These results imply that FcR expression and function on monocytes and inflammatory macrophages may be in sensitive balance with the relative concentrations of IL-4 and IFN in the immune environment. FcRs on AM phi are less responsive to modulation by these lymphokines.     

Elevated Membrane and Soluble CD64: A Novel Marker Reflecting Altered FcγR Function and Disease in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis That Can Be Regulated by Anti-Rheumatic Treatment

Objectives

Fc receptors (FcR) interacting with immune complexes (ICs) is a central event in the immune pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here we asked if a specific FcR is linked to RA pathogenesis and if FcR activities relate to disease and treatment outcome in early RA.

Material and Methods

Twenty autoantibody-positive RA patients and 33 HC were included. The patients were evaluated before and after treatment with methotrexate and prednisolone. At follow-up, the EULAR response criteria were applied to determine the individual treatment outcomes. Serum immunoglobulin levels were measured and the expression of FcR for IgG (FcγR) and IgA (FcαR) on peripheral blood monocytes were determined by flow cytometry. The monocytic FcγR function was evaluated by human IgG1 and IgG3 IC-binding and TNFα stimulated release. Plasma levels of soluble FcRs (sFcRs) were determined with ELISA.

Results

The IgG1 and IgG3 levels were elevated in the RA sera. The RA monocytes expressed more CD64 and cell surface-bound IgG than HC monocytes, and showed an impaired FcγR function as reflected by changes in IC-binding and decreased IC-stimulated TNFα secretion. These findings correlated significantly with different disease activity markers. Furthermore, sFcRs were elevated in the patient plasma, and sCD64 was specific for RA (compared with a reference group of patients with active psoriatic arthritis). Following treatment, immunoglobulins and sFcR levels were reduced, whereas membrane CD64 was only decreased in patients with good response to treatment.

Conclusions

Early RA patients display increased membrane and soluble CD64 and an impaired FcγR function correlating with joint disease activity. Beneficial responses of anti-rheumatic treatment in patients reduce CD64. These data suggest sCD64 as an important objective biomarker in RA.     

Feedback regulation of immune responses by immune complexes; possible involvement of a suppressive lymphokine by FcR gamma-bearing B cell

Inoculations of antigen-antibody complexes (immune complexes) with the intact Fc portion generates suppressor cells in vivo by binding to FcR gamma on B cells via Fc portions. The cell type responsible for the suppression appears to be B cells bearing FcR gamma. Neither T cells nor macrophages participate in both the inductive and effective phases of this type of regulation. The suppression caused by splenic B cells, previously stimulated with immune complexes in vivo, is mediated by humoral factor(s) released from them. The suppressive factor(s) have H-2 gene product(s) coded by the right-hand side of the H-2 gene complex, but not for FcR gamma themselves or immunoglobulins. It has shared component(s) with suppressive B cell factor (SBF) released from FcR gamma + B cells stimulated with immune complexes in vitro, and it resembles SBF in its mode of action. These findings indicate that immune complexes, the final products of antibody responses, control the immune responses by stimulating surface FcR gamma on B cells. It is of interest that this type of regulation functions in vivo.     

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.     

Cell surface tumor necrosis factor (TNF) accounts for monocyte- and lymphocyte-mediated killing of TNF-resistant target cells

WEHI164 cells are susceptible to cytotoxicity by soluble recombinant or monocyte-derived TNF alpha, as well as to cell-mediated cytotoxicity by monocytes or lymphocytes. In contrast, K562 cells are resistant to lysis by soluble recombinant or natural TNF alpha, but are killed by monocyte or lymphocyte effector cells. Cell-mediated cytotoxicity against both target cell lines is enhanced by treatment of monocyte effector cells with recombinant interferon gamma or lymphocyte effector cells with interleukin-2. However, treatment of monocytes with LPS, or of lymphocytes with PHA, although inducing secretion of soluble TNF alpha in the medium, does not increase cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Anti-TNF alpha neutralizing antibodies partially inhibit monocyte- as well as lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity against WEHI164 and K562 cells. Formaldehyde-fixed effector cells are cytotoxic to both target cell lines. Cytotoxicity by fixed effector cells can be inhibited by anti-TNF alpha antibodies. The extent of cell-mediated cytotoxicity induced by treatment of effector cells with stimulators prior to fixation corresponds to the expression of TNF on monocyte membranes, but not to the titers of secreted TNF. The data suggest that membrane-associated TNF alpha may be a mechanism of human monocyte- as well as lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity, regardless of whether the target cells are sensitive or insensitive to soluble TNF.     

Structural polymorphism of the human platelet Fc gamma receptor

A variable T lymphocyte proliferative response to murine IgG1 anti-T3 monoclonal antibodies, in which most North American Caucasians respond whereas a minority do not, is well established. This is most likely the result of a genetic polymorphism manifested by 1) the inability of the monocyte 40-kDa IgG FcR of some individuals to bind murine IgG1, and 2) a distinctive trimorphic pattern on IEF of the monocyte 40-kDa FcR, one form being seen in all individuals who do not respond and another form (or a combination of both forms) being seen in those who do respond. We have evaluated the IEF patterns of the platelet 40-kDa FcR and find that in every individual tested the pattern for platelet FcR correlates with that seen for the monocyte 40-kDa FcR pattern. Furthermore, the platelets of those individuals whose "nonresponder" monocyte 40-kDa FcR did not mediate a murine IgG1 anti-T3 response did not respond with an aggregation reaction to murine IgG1 immune complexes (opsonized E). In contrast, platelets from donors possessing "responder" monocytes displayed positive "aggregation" responses to E coated with murine IgG1 antibody. However, the platelet FcR structural polymorphism described earlier did not correlate with the donor-specific variability in capacity of platelets to respond functionally to aggregated human IgG described in an earlier paper. Rather, the variation in capacity of platelets from individual donors to respond functionally to aggregated human IgG was related to the quantitative expression of platelet FcR. These data indicate that the molecular mechanisms responsible for the platelet 40-kDa FcR structural polymorphism are quite different from the mechanisms governing the variation in quantitative expression of the receptor.     

Effects of immune complexes on production by human monocytes of interleukin 1 or an interleukin 1 inhibitor

The objective of these studies was to examine the ability of phorbol myristic acetate (PMA), Fc fragments, and various forms of immune complexes to induce the production by human monocytes of factors stimulatory to chondrocytes or thymocytes. All of these materials were prepared free of detectable contamination with bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) at the level of less than 0.1 ng/ml. Supernatants and lysates from stimulated human monocytes were assayed for their ability to induce collagenase production in cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes or to augment mitogen-induced proliferation of murine thymocytes. The activity detected by these assays exhibited an m.w. of approximately 15,000, and electrophoretic heterogeneity in the pH ranges of 5 to 5.5 and 6.5 to 7.0, characteristics of human interleukin 1 (IL 1) or IL 1-like factors. Monocytes cultured with 2 ng/ml LPS produced chondrocyte and thymocyte stimulatory factors. PMA, Fc fragments, and soluble, precipitated, particulate, or adherent immune complexes were inactive in stimulating the monocytes. However, complement fixation by precipitated immune complexes did generate activity capable of inducing monocytes to synthesize and secrete chondrocyte and thymocyte stimulatory factors. Adherent immune complexes and PMA were biologically active, as evidenced by induction of superoxide generation in the human monocytes. Supernatants from monocytes cultured on adherent immune complexes contained a factor inhibitory to chondrocyte and thymocyte responsiveness. This factor had a m.w. approximately 22,000 and appeared to inhibit specifically IL 1 stimulation, not interleukin 2 stimulation or cell proliferation. It was concluded that PMA, Fc fragments, and various forms of immune complexes in the absence of complement do not induce IL 1 production in human monocytes. However, complement fixation by immune complexes does lead to activation of monocytes to produce IL 1. Monocytes cultured on adherent immune complexes produce an IL 1 inhibitor.     

Combined effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, prostaglandin E2, and corticosterone on induced Ia expression on murine macrophages

Ia expression is an important marker of macrophage functional capacity. IFN-gamma induces Ia expression on perhaps all murine macrophages, whereas IL-4, granulocyte-macrophage CSF, and CSF-1 induce Ia on restricted sets of macrophages. Inhibitors of expression include PGE2, glucocorticoids, and IFN-beta. TNF has been found to augment Ia expression on several macrophage lineage cell lines but to inhibit expression on murine peritoneal macrophages. Our study shows that TNF can have opposite effects on Ia expression (induced by IFN-gamma) on thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages, depending on the length of time cells are treated and on the presence of other modulators. In particular, TNF augmented early expression induced by IFN-gamma but inhibited later expression. And although TNF synergized with PGE2 to markedly inhibit Ia induction on these cells, it partially antagonized the inhibition by corticosterone and IFN-beta. TNF and PGE2 also synergized to inhibit Ia expression induced on bone marrow-derived and splenic macrophages by either IFN-gamma or IL-4. In contrast to their effect on Ia expression, TNF and PGE2 had opposite effects on expression of gamma 2a FcR in macrophages. TNF blocked the increase in FcR expression due to any combination of PGE2, IFN-gamma, and IFN-beta. However, TNF and PGE2 both increased expression of gamma 2a FcR on WEHI-3 cells. If the different effects of TNF reflect the differentiation states of macrophages, its effects on Ia and FcR expression may vary with the progression of an immune response.     

Activation of human monocytes occurs on cross-linking monocytic antigens to an Fc receptor

Murine mAb to CD13, CD14, and class II MHC, are able to mobilize calcium in normal human monocytes and enhance superoxide production in primed cells. Antibodies to CD35 (CR1) also cause a minor calcium response in some individuals. Antibodies to CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD15, CD17, CD18, and CD45 do not activate monocytes. The ability of mAb to cause monocyte activation is not only dependent on the Ag with which they react but also on the isotype of the antibodies and the individual from whom the monocytes were obtained. It is shown that this is because the mAb that activate monocytes do so by formation of Ag-antibody-FcR complexes. F(ab')2 fragments of mAb to CD13 and CD14 do not therefore activate monocytes even when cross-linked with F(ab')2 anti-mouse Ig but do so when cross-linked with intact anti-mouse Ig. These data indicate that activation via the FcR requires perturbation of this receptor but does not necessarily require cross-linking of one FcR to another. Antibody-coated particles or cells able to bind to cell surface receptors on monocytes other than the FcR would thus augment FcR-mediated activation.     

Identification and characterization of a FcR homolog in an ectothermic vertebrate, the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

An FcR homolog (IpFcRI), representing the first such receptor from an ectothermic vertebrate, has been identified in the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Mining of the catfish expressed sequence tag databases using mammalian FcR sequences for CD16, CD32, and CD64 resulted in the identification of a teleost Ig-binding receptor. IpFcRI is encoded by a single-copy gene containing three Ig C2-like domains, but lacking a transmembrane segment and cytoplasmic tail. The encoded Ig domains of IpFcRI are phylogenetically and structurally related to mammalian FcR and the presence of a putative Fc-binding region appears to be conserved. IpFcRI-related genomic sequences are also present in both pufferfish and rainbow trout, indicating the likely presence of a soluble FcR in other fish species. Northern blot and qualitative PCR analyses demonstrated that IpFcRI is primarily expressed in IgM-negative leukocytes derived from the lymphoid kidney tissues and PBL. Significantly lower levels of IpFcRI expression were detected in catfish clonal leukocyte cell lines. Using the native leader, IpFcRI was secreted when transfected into insect cells and importantly the native IpFcRI glycoprotein was detected in catfish plasma using a polyclonal Ab. Recombinant IpFcRI binds catfish IgM as assessed by both coimmunoprecipation and cell transfection studies and it is presumed that it functions as a secreted FcR akin to the soluble FcR found in mammals. The identification of an FcR homolog in an ectothermic vertebrate is an important first step toward understanding the evolutionary history and functional importance of vertebrate Ig-binding receptors.     

Release of leukotrienes C4 and B4 and prostaglandin E2 from human monocytes stimulated with aggregated IgG, IgA, and IgE

Purified human peripheral blood monocytes were stimulated with aggregated human myeloma proteins of different classes or the calcium ionophore A23187 and the release of leukotrienes C4 and B4 (LTC4, LTB4), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) into the supernatant was determined. The ionophore induced release of 10 +/- 5 ng LTC4/10(6) cells and 25 +/- 8 ng LTB4/10(6) cells. Aggregated IgG, IgA, and IgE, but not IgM or monomeric immunoglobulins (Ig), induced release of LTC4 and LTB4 that was approximately 10 to 20% of that induced by ionophore. In addition, IgG, IgA, and IgE, but not IgM, induced release of PGE2 (range 0.015 to 0.22 ng/10(6) cells). Aggregated Ig induced LTC4, LTB4, and PGE2 release in a dose-dependent manner; maximal leukotriene (LT) release was observed by 30 min, in contrast to PG release, which continued to increase up to 2.5 hr. Both ionophore- and Ig-induced LTC4 and LTB4 release were completely inhibited by removal of calcium from the media and by preincubation of cells with nordihydroguaiaretic acid. Indomethacin inhibited Ig-induced PGE2 release by 80%. Phagocytosis of the Ig aggregates was not required for LT or PGE2 release, since release was not inhibited by cytochalasin B. Release of LTC4, LTB4, and PGE2 induced by IgG, IgA, and IgE, but not IgM, correlated with the presence or absence of monocyte Fc receptors (FcR) as determined by rosette assays. The data suggest that IgG, IgA, and IgE immune complexes mostly likely induce monocyte arachidonic acid metabolism via cross-linking of FcR. The ability of monocytes to release eicosanoids in the absence of phagocytosis suggests that interaction of monocytes with immobilized immune complexes, such as those deposited in blood vessel walls or glomerular basement membranes, could initiate metabolism of arachidonic acid by monocytes. Such a mechanism could contribute to inflammatory reactions characterized by mononuclear cell infiltrates.     

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-mediated NF-κB activation facilitates cellular invasion of non-professional phagocytic epithelial cell lines by Trypanosoma cruzi

At the site of infection, pro-inflammatory cytokines locally produced by macrophages infected with Trypanosoma cruzi can activate surrounding non-professional phagocytes such as fibroblasts, epithelial and endothelial cells, which can be further invaded by the parasite. The effect of secreted soluble factors on the invasion of these cells remains, however, to be established. We show here that two epithelial cell lines become significantly susceptible to the infection by the Y strain of T. cruzi after tumour necrosis factor (TNF) treatment. The increase in the invasion was correlated with the increasing concentration of recombinant TNF added to cultures of HEK293T or LLC-MK2 cells. Supernatants taken from PMA-differentiated human monocytes infected with T. cruzi also increased the permissiveness of epithelial cells to subsequent infection with the parasite, which was inhibited by a TNF monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, the permissiveness induced by TNF was inhibited by TPCK, and led to significant decrease in the number of intracellular parasites, providing evidence that activation of NF-κB induced by TNF favours the invasion of the epithelial cell lines by T. cruzi through yet an unidentified mechanism. Our data indicate that soluble factors released from macrophages early in the infection favours T. cruzi invasion of non-professional phagocytic cells.     

Down-regulation of surface FcRI and decrease in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of cultured monocytes. Reversal by monensin or cytochalasin-D

To investigate the mechanisms involved in regulation of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by human monocytes, 51Cr-labeled sheep red blood cells (RBC) were used as target cells in vitro. Monocytes incubated overnight at 37 degrees C before addition of SRBC and antibody exhibited a significant decrease in ADCC activity compared with freshly isolated cells. This pattern was observed with monocytes from all donors tested, regardless of the media used for culture. Supernatants from monocyte cultures did not inhibit the cytotoxic ability of fresh monocytes and cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, could not reverse ADCC suppression in cultured monocytes, indicating that the alteration in ADCC is probably not due to inhibitory molecules secreted or synthesized during incubation. A correlation between the decrease in the number of surface FcRI and loss in ADCC ability of cultured monocytes was found. One mechanism for the reduced FcRI expression of 1-day-old monocytes may be rapid internalization that exceeds the rate of reexpression, because cytochalasin-D or monensin, each of which inhibits receptor internalization, maintained FcR expression as well as ADCC ability of cultured monocytes. These data illustrate mechanisms whereby alteration in the number of receptors may underlie loss of receptor-mediated functions, or be involved in augmentation of their biologic activity. The findings that important monocyte functions change under conditions of storage or culture have relevance to in vitro testing of various immune functions of monocytes performed clinically to monitor or guide therapy.     

CrmE, a novel soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor encoded by poxviruses

Cytokines and chemokines play a critical role in both the innate and acquired immune responses and constitute prime targets for pathogen sabotage. Molecular mimicry of cytokines and cytokine receptors is a mechanism encoded by large DNA viruses to modulate the host immune response. Three tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) have been identified in the poxvirus cowpox virus. Here we report the identification and characterization of a fourth distinct soluble TNFR, named cytokine response modifier E (CrmE), encoded by cowpox virus. The crmE gene has been sequenced in strains of the orthopoxviruses cowpox virus, ectromelia virus, and camelpox virus, and was found to be active in cowpox virus. crmE is expressed as a secreted 18-kDa protein with TNF binding activity. CrmE was produced in the baculovirus and vaccinia virus expression systems and was shown to bind human, mouse, and rat TNF, but not human lymphotoxin alpha, conjugates of lymphotoxins alpha and beta, or seven other ligands of the TNF superfamily. However, CrmE protects cells only from the cytolytic activity of human TNF. CrmE is a new member of the TNFR superfamily which is expressed as a soluble molecule that blocks the binding of TNF to high-affinity TNFRs on the cell surface. The remarkable finding of a fourth poxvirus-encoded TNFR suggests that modulation of TNF activity is complex and represents a novel viral immune evasion mechanism.     

ERK phosphorylation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by monocytes are persistent in response to immobilized IgG

Engagement of Fcγ receptors on leukocytes by immune complexes induces both cytokine production and immune complex internalization. The relationship between these processes is unclear. In many disease states, Fcγ receptors encounter their ligands in deposited forms that cannot be readily internalized. In this study, we examined the kinetics of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and TNF-α secretion in primary human monocytes in response to soluble heat-aggregated IgG or surface-bound IgG, to mimic soluble immune complexes and tissue-deposited IgG, respectively. Soluble aggregated IgG induced transient signaling, leading to peak phosphorylation of ERK1/2 by 15 min and peak TNF-α levels by 1 h, whereas surface-bound IgG caused sustained responses over the course of several hours. Treatment with the vacuolar ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin led to increased persistence of ERK1/2 phosphorylation in response to aggregated IgG. When monocytes were incubated with both soluble aggregated IgG and surface-bound IgG simultaneously, ERK1/2 phosphorylation was transient. These results suggest that Fcγ receptor internalization is an important step in termination of inflammatory signaling, and that small immune complexes can exert an overall down-modulatory effect when encountered in the presence of immobilized IgG.     

CTRP8 and CTRP9B are novel proteins that hetero-oligomerize with C1q/TNF family members

C1q/TNF family comprises over thirty secreted multimeric proteins that play diverse and important roles in immune, endocrine, skeletal, neuronal, reproductive, sensory, and vascular systems. Here we describe two novel human C1q/TNF family members, designated as CTRP8 and CTRP9B. Both genes are absent in the mouse genome. CTRP8 is expressed predominantly in lung and testis. In addition to forming homotrimers, CTRP8 also forms heteromeric complexes with C1q-related factor (CRF). CRF is a secreted multimeric protein that forms heteromeric complexes with CTRP1, CTRP9, and CTRP10. Although human CTRRP9A and CTRP9B share 98% amino acid identity, they are encoded by distinct genes and are biochemically distinct. While CTRP9A is robustly secreted as a multimeric protein, CTRP9B requires physical association with CTRP9A or adiponectin for its secretion. We propose here that combinatorial association between C1q/TNF family members is a possible mechanism to generate an expanded repertoire of functionally distinct ligands with altered function and/or receptor specificity.