Characterization of the ligand binding site of the bovine IgA Fc receptor (bFc alpha R)

Recently, we identified a bovine IgA Fc receptor (bFc alpha R), which shows high homology to the human myeloid Fc alpha R, CD89. IgA binding has previously been shown to depend on several specific residues located in the B-C and F-G loops of the membrane-distal extracellular domain 1 of CD89. To compare the ligand binding properties of these two Fc alpha Rs, we have mapped the IgA binding site of bFc alpha R. We show that, in common with CD89, Tyr-35 in the B-C loop is essential for IgA binding. However, in contrast to earlier observations on CD89, mutation of residues in the F-G loop did not significantly inhibit IgA binding.     

Role of FcαR EC2 region in extracellular membrane localization

The FcαR receptor (CD89) binds to the constant region of Immunoglobulin (Ig) A to mediate mucosal immunity [1–2]. FcαR consist of five exons: two that code for the signal peptide regions S1 & S2, two for the extracellular regions EC1 and EC2, and the final exon for the transmembrane/cytoplasmic tail region [3]. Previously, we reported that the EC1 region plays an essential role for extracellular membrane localization of the receptor [4], where the absence of EC1 would prevent the variants from localizing to the cell surface, even with a full signal peptide. In the case of FcαR Variant 4 (lacking the S2 region only), there was some “leakiness” to membrane surface localization.     

A subset of human dendritic cells expresses IgA Fc receptor (CD89), which mediates internalization and activation upon cross-linking by IgA complexes

Immature dendritic cells (DC) sample Ags within nonlymphoid tissues and acquire exogenous proteins/pathogens via scavenger receptors or Ig FcR such as Fc gamma R and Fc epsilon R. IgA is present in a significant proportion among serum Ig and is the main isotype in mucosae, where DC are numerous. We found that a functional Fc alpha R (CD89) was expressed in situ and in vitro on interstitial-type DC but not on Langerhans cell-type DC. Interstitial-type DC expressed CD89 as a 50- to 75-kDa glycoprotein with a 32-kDa protein core, which was down-regulated upon addition of TGF-beta 1. DC, Fc alpha R specifically, bound IgA1 and IgA2. Cross-linking of CD89 on DC triggered endocytosis in time-dependent manner. In addition, internalization of polymeric IgA complexes induced the production of IL-10 and DC activation, as reflected by up-regulation of CD86 costimulatory molecules, class II MHC expression, and increased allostimulatory activity. Therefore, interstitial-type DC may use Fc alpha R-mediated Ag sampling in the subepithelium to check tissue integrity while Langerhans cells inside epithelial layers may neglect IgA immune complexes.     

Identification of residues within the extracellular domain 1 of bovine Fc gamma 2R essential for binding bovine IgG2

Neutrophils and monocytes in cattle express a novel class of immunoglobulin Fc receptor, specific for bovine IgG2 (bIgG2), termed bFc gamma 2R. In cows, the ability of neutrophils to kill immunoglobulin-opsonized microorganisms appears to depend largely on this subclass, whose interaction with bFc gamma 2R initiates the killing process. bFc gamma 2R is a transmembrane glycoprotein consisting of two extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains, followed by a 19-amino acid membrane-spanning region and a short cytoplasmic tail. Although related to other mammalian Fc gamma Rs, bFc gamma 2R belongs to a novel gene family that includes the human killer cell inhibitory receptor and Fc alpha RI (CD89) proteins. We have shown previously (Morton, H. C., van Zandbergen, G., van Kooten, C., Howard, C. J., van de Winkel, J. G., and Brandtzaeg, P. (1999) J. Exp. Med. 189, 1715-1722) that like these proteins (and unlike other Fc gamma Rs), bFc gamma 2R binds bIgG2 via the membrane-distal extracellular domain 1 (EC1). In this present study, we introduced mutations into the predicted loop regions of the EC1 domain and assayed the resulting bFc gamma 2R mutants for their ability to bind bIgG2. Our results indicated that the bIgG2 binding site lies within the predicted F-G loop region of the EC1 domain. Furthermore, single amino acid mutational analysis of this region identified Phe-82 and Trp-87 as being critical for bIgG2 binding.     

C/EBP alpha and Ets protein family members regulate the human myeloid IgA Fc receptor (Fc alpha R,CD89) promoter

Fc alpha R (CD89), the FcR for IgA, is expressed exclusively in myeloid cells, including monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils, and is thought to mediate IgA-triggered cellular functions in immunity. Here we demonstrate that the Fc alpha R 5'-flanking region from -102 to -64 relative to the ATG translation initiation codon is essential for promoter activity and contains two functional binding motifs for C/EBP and Ets family members at -74 and -92, respectively. EMSAs and cotransfection experiments show that C/EBP alpha acts as a major activator of the Fc alpha R promoter at least in immature myeloid cells. In addition, we found two additional functional targets of C/EBP alpha at -139 and -127. On the other hand, the Fc alpha R Ets binding motif could bind Elf-1 and mediate the trans-activation by cotransfected Elf-1, but a major component of the complex forming on this site appears to be an unidentified Ets-like nuclear protein that is preferentially detected in cells of hemopoietic origin. Furthermore, separation of the C/EBP and Ets binding sites reduces Fc alpha R promoter activity, suggesting some functional interaction between these factors. As the in vivo role of Fc alpha R is still incompletely defined, these findings reveal the features controlling the Fc alpha R promoter in myeloid lineage and provide a foundation for clarifying regulatory mechanisms of Fc alpha R gene expression associated with its potential roles.     

Mouse IgA Fc receptor on CD3+ T cells. Molecular forms of IgA that bind to a 38-kDa Fc alpha R protein and development of an anti-Fc alpha R antisera

Previous studies have shown that splenic T cells from mice that bear IgA myelomas, as well as certain T cell lines, express receptors for the Fc of IgA, and are termed Fc alpha R. In this study, we have isolated and characterized two CD3+ T cell lines derived by fusion of murine Peyer's patch (PP) CD4+ T cells with the BW 5147 lymphoma cell line. These cell lines, designated PPT4-6 and PPT4-16, were shown to bind monomeric or dimeric IgA, whereas the fusion partner did not bind either form of IgA. However, polymeric IgA (m.w. 600,000) bound equally well to all three cell lines. Similar results were also obtained with two known Fc alpha R+ T cell lines, ThHA1 nos. 9 and 10. Immunoprecipitation studies with IgA on PPT4-16 and ThHA1 no. 9 have shown that IgA binds to a 38-kDa protein. A rabbit antiserum was prepared to a 38-kDa fraction of Fc alpha R+ T cell membranes, and heterophilic antibody was removed from the antiserum by adsorption with mouse thymocytes, BW 5147 and R1.1 lymphoma. The antiserum bound to both PPT4-16 and ThHA1 no. 9 as well as to other Fc alpha R+ T cells, but did not bind to thymocytes or to the T lymphomas R1.1 or BW 5147. The antiserum appeared specific for the Fc alpha R, because it failed to block binding of anti-CD3 (145 2C11) or other surface molecule-specific antibodies. Further, competitive inhibition studies with IgA and anti-Fc alpha R (38 kDa) showed that preincubation of Fc alpha R+ T cells with the anti-38-kDa protein completely eliminated IgA binding, whereas IgA partially blocked the binding of the anti-Fc alpha R antibodies to the cell membrane. Immunoisolation with the anti-Fc alpha R antibody of radioiodinated cell membrane proteins from Fc alpha R+ T cells, but not from Fc alpha R- cells, gave a distinct band at 38 kDa. To further test the specificity of this antiserum, we have isolated T cells from spleens of IgA-myeloma bearing mice, and tested the phenotype and IgA binding. A subset consisting of 15 to 20% of CD3+, CD8+ T cells was found that bound monomeric or dimeric IgA. Further, the anti-Fc alpha R antiserum also recognized this CD8+ T cell subset, and preincubation of the cells with antibody resulted in their failure to bind IgA. Our results indicate that the Fc alpha R on T cell lines derived from PP is a 38-kDa protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Murine IgA binding factors produced by Fc alpha R(+) T cells: role of Fc gamma R(+) cells for the induction of Fc alpha R and formation of IgA-binding factor in Con A-activated cells

The relationship between the production of a T cell factor having affinity for IgA (IgA-binding factor(s); IgA BF) and the expression of Fc receptors specific for IgA (Fc alpha R) was studied by using murine spleen cells activated with concanavalin A (Con A blasts). Fc alpha R was detected by the cytophilic binding of anti-TNP murine IgA myeloma protein (MOPC 315 IgA) to Con A blasts as determined by an indirect rosette method with trinitrophenylated sheep red blood cells (TNP-SRBC). After 18 hr preculture with IgA, Fc alpha R was expressed on 15 to 20% of Con A blasts, which released IgA BF suppressing the in vitro IgA synthesis of the spleen cells stimulated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Without preculture with IgA, there was neither induction of Fc alpha R nor the production of IgA BF from Con A blasts. Fc alpha R was not induced on Con A blasts by IgA if Fc gamma R(+) cells were depleted from the blasts by rosetting with SRBC sensitized with rabbit IgG antibody (EA gamma). Even after preculture with IgA, the suppressive IgA BF was undetectable in the culture supernatant of Con A blasts depleted of the Fc gamma R(+) cell population. By using a double rosette method with EA gamma and trinitrophenylated quail red blood cells, Fc alpha R proved to be co-expressed on Fc gamma R(+) precursor T cells in the Con A blasts. The results suggested that both Fc gamma R and Fc alpha R could be co-expressed on Con A blasts, as is the case with T2D4 Fc gamma R(+), Fc alpha R(+) T hybridoma cells, which are known to produce IgG-binding factor(s) (IgG BF) and IgA BF. The relationship between Fc gamma R and Fc alpha R on a single cell was studied by using monoclonal anti-Fc gamma R antibody (2. 4G2 ). The reactivity of 2. 4G2 antibody with T cell Fc gamma R was proved by the inhibition of EA gamma rosette formation by Con A blasts or T2D4 cells. The addition of 2. 4G2 monoclonal antibody, however, did not affect the induction of Fc alpha R on Con A blasts by IgA. Furthermore, the binding of IgA to Fc alpha R already expressed on L5178Y T lymphoma cell line cells was not inhibited by the monoclonal antibody. The results confirmed that Fc alpha R are distinct from Fc gamma R co-expressed on the same Con A blasts, and that the expression of Fc alpha R on Fc gamma R(+) T cells and their production of suppressive IgA BF may be induced by the binding of IgA to Fc alpha R.     

IL-4 decreases Fc gamma R membrane expression and Fc gamma R-mediated cytotoxic activity of human monocytes

Monocytes can express three classes of FcR for IgG: Fc gamma RI, Fc gamma RII, and Fc gamma RIII (CD64, CD32, and CD16, respectively) of which the Fc gamma RIII is expressed after prolonged culture. Fc gamma R expression is regulated by IFN-gamma. Because IFN-gamma and IL-4 have antagonistic effects on the expression of the FcR for IgE on human monocytes, we studied the effect of IL-4 on Fc gamma R expression and function. We show that IL-4 down-regulates Fc gamma RI, Fc gamma RII, and Fc gamma RIII expression of cultured monocytes and inhibits IFN-gamma enhanced Fc gamma RI expression. Exposure of monocytes to IL-4 for 40 h resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of the expression of all three Fc gamma R that persisted throughout the whole culture period (7 days). Anti-IL-4 antibodies completely reversed the IL-4 effect. In addition the impaired Fc gamma R expression correlated directly with reduced Fc gamma R-mediated function because monocytes cultured in the presence of IL-4 have a reduced capacity to lyse human E opsonized with human IgG anti-D or mouse antiglycophorin A antibodies. These observations, together with the previous finding that IL-4 induces Fc epsilon RIIb expression on monocytes, indicate that IL-4 and IFN-gamma may control the Fc gamma R-mediated immune response by differentially regulating Fc gamma R expression.     

The human IgA-Fc alpha receptor interaction and its blockade by streptococcal IgA-binding proteins

IgA plays a key role in immune defence of the mucosal surfaces. IgA can trigger elimination mechanisms against pathogens through the interaction of its Fc region with Fc alpha Rs (receptors specific for the Fc region of IgA) present on neutrophils, macrophages, monocytes and eosinophils. The human Fc alpha R (CD89) shares homology with receptors specific for the Fc region of IgG (Fc gamma Rs) and IgE (Fc epsilon RIs), but is a more distantly related member of the receptor family. CD89 interacts with residues lying at the interface of the two domains of IgA Fc, a site quite distinct from the homologous regions at the top of IgG and IgE Fc recognized by Fc gamma R and Fc epsilon RI respectively. Certain pathogenic bacteria express surface proteins that bind to human IgA Fc. Experiments with domain-swap antibodies and mutant IgAs indicate that binding of three such proteins (Sir22 and Arp4 of Streptococcus pyogenes and beta protein of group B streptococci) depend on sites in the Fc interdomain region of IgA, the binding region also used by CD89. Further, we have found that the streptococcal proteins can inhibit interaction of IgA with CD89, and have thereby identified a mechanism by which a bacterial IgA-binding protein may modulate IgA effector function.     

Receptors for Fc epsilon and Fc gamma are linked on mouse chromosome 1

Recently isolated cDNA clones for the high affinity Fc epsilon receptors on mast cells and basophils (Fc epsilon RI alpha) and Fc gamma receptors on macrophages and lymphocytes (Fc gamma 2b/gamma 1R) are homologous members of the Ig supergene family. Analysis of the segregation of restriction fragment length polymorphism in crosses of inbred mice now establish that the structural genes encoding both Fc epsilon RI alpha and Fc gamma 2b/gamma 1R are indeed discrete genes and are linked at the distal end of mouse chromosome 1. This finding raises the possibility that a family of Fc receptors could be found in a region that is known to contain immunologically important markers of lymphocyte surface Ag and autoimmune defects.     

Antisera to the secretory component recognize the murine Fc receptor for IgA

Studies were undertaken to determine a possible structural relationship between the secretory component (SC) and the receptor for IgA (Fc alpha R). An IgA-mediated rosetting technique was used to assess the presence of Fc alpha R+ cells in various lymphoid tissues from normal BALB/c mice and mice bearing an IgA plasmacytoma (MOPC 315). Tissues from the MOPC 315-bearing BALB/c mice were found to have a significantly higher percentage of Fc alpha R+ cells; thus, nonadherent spleen cells from MOPC 315-bearing mice were used as a source of Fc alpha R+ cells in these studies. The cells were preincubated with anti-SC and then assayed for the ability of IgA to bind to the Fc alpha R. Antisera to SC from various species inhibited the formation of IgA-mediated rosettes, although preincubation of the Fc alpha R+ cells with antisera directed against other cell surface molecules (e.g., Thy1.2, Lyt1, Lyt2, Fc gamma R, MHC class I and II) or preimmune sera had no significant effect on IgA-mediated rosette formation. Preabsorption of the anti-SC with secretory IgA or with free SC removed the inhibitory effect; preabsorption with myeloma IgA had no effect. These data suggest that SC and Fc alpha R are related serologically and may be structurally related, possible in the IgA-binding region.     

Novel asymmetrically engineered antibody Fc variant with superior FcγR binding affinity and specificity compared with afucosylated Fc variant

Fc engineering is a promising approach to enhance the antitumor efficacy of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Glyco- and protein-Fc engineering have been employed to enhance FcγR binding and ADCC activity of mAbs; the drawbacks of previous approaches lie in their binding affinity to both FcγRIIIa allotypes, the ratio of activating FcγR binding to inhibitory FcγR binding (A/I ratio) or the melting temperature (T_M) of the C_H2 domain. To date, no engineered Fc variant has been reported that satisfies all these points. Herein, we present a novel Fc engineering approach that introduces different substitutions in each Fc domain asymmetrically, conferring optimal binding affinity to FcγR and specificity to the activating FcγR without impairing the stability. We successfully designed an asymmetric Fc variant with the highest binding affinity for both FcγRIIIa allotypes and the highest A/I ratio compared with previously reported symmetrically engineered Fc variants, and superior or at least comparable in vitro ADCC activity compared with afucosylated Fc variants. In addition, the asymmetric Fc engineering approach offered higher stability by minimizing the use of substitutions that reduce the T_M of the C_H2 domain compared with the symmetric approach. These results demonstrate that the asymmetric Fc engineering platform provides best-in-class effector function for therapeutic antibodies against tumor antigens.     

Role of oligosaccharide residues of IgG1-Fc in Fc gamma RIIb binding

Engagement of Fc gamma receptors (Fc gamma Rs) with the Fc region of IgG elicits immune responses by leukocytes. The recent crystal structure of Fc gamma RIII in complex with IgG-Fc has provided details of molecular interactions between these components (Sondermann, P., Huber, R., Oosthuizen, V., and Jacob, U. (2000) Nature 406, 267-273). One of the most intriguing issues is that glycosylation of IgG-Fc is essential for the recognition by Fc gamma Rs although the carbohydrate moieties are on the periphery of the Fc gamma RIII-Fc interface. To better understand the role of Fc glycosylation in Fc gamma R binding we prepared homogeneous glycoforms of IgG-Fc (Cri) and investigated the interactions with a soluble form of Fc gamma RIIb (sFc gamma RIIb). A 1:1 complex stoichiometry was observed in solution at 30 degrees C (K(d), 0.94 microm; Delta G, -8.4 kcal mol(-1); Delta H, -6.5 kcal mol(-1); T Delta S, 1.9 kcal mol(-1); Delta C(p), -160 cal mol(-1) K(-1)). Removal of terminal galactose residues did not alter the thermodynamic parameters significantly. Outer-arm GlcNAc residues contributed significantly to thermal stability of the C(H)2 domains but only slightly to sFc gamma RIIb binding. Truncation of 1,3- and 1,6-arm mannose residues generates a linear trisaccharide core structure and resulted in a significantly decreased affinity, a less exothermic Delta H, and a more negative Delta C(p) for sFc gamma RIIb binding, which may result from a conformational change coupled to complex formation. Deglycosylation of the C(H)2 domains abrogated sFc gamma RIIb binding and resulted in the lowest thermal stability accompanied with noncooperative unfolding. These results suggest that truncation of the oligosaccharides of IgG-Fc causes disorder and a closed disposition of the two C(H)2 domains, impairing sFc gamma RIIb binding.     

Murine recombinant Fc gamma RIII, but not Fc gamma RII, trigger serotonin release in rat basophilic leukemia cells.

Murine Fc gamma RII and Fc gamma RIII have highly homologous extracellular domains, but unrelated transmembrane and intracytoplasmic (IC) domains. Murine Fc gamma RIIb1 and b2 are two isoforms of single-chain receptors which differ only by 47 aa in their IC domain. Murine Fc gamma RIII are composed of an IgG-binding alpha-chain, the intracellular portion of which is unrelated to that of Fc gamma RII, and of a homodimeric gamma-chain which also associates with Fc epsilon RI. Murine mast cells express Fc gamma RII, Fc gamma RIII, and Fc epsilon RI. They can be induced to degranulate by murine IgG immune complexes or by F(ab')2 fragments of the rat anti-murine Fc gamma RII/III mAb 2.4G2, complexed to mouse anti-rat (MAR) F(ab')2. In order to determine which murine Fc gamma R can activate mast cells, cDNA encoding murine Fc gamma RIIb1, Fc gamma RIIb2 or Fc gamma RIII alpha were stably transfected into RBL-2H3 cells. Murine Fc gamma RIII but not Fc gamma RIIb1 or Fc gamma RIIb2 induced serotonin release when aggregated by (2.4G2-MAR) F(ab')2 complexes. The respective roles of the IC domains of murine Fc gamma RIII subunits in signal transduction were investigated by stably transfecting cDNA encoding IC-deleted or chimeric murine Fc gamma R into RBL-2H3 cells. The substitution of the IC domain of murine Fc gamma RII for that of murine Fc gamma RIII gamma, but not that of murine Fc gamma RIII alpha, conferred the ability to trigger serotonin release. The deletion of IC sequences of the alpha subunit did not alter the ability of murine Fc gamma RIII to trigger serotonin release. It follows that 1) murine Fc gamma RIII, but not Fc gamma RII, can induce RBL cells to release serotonin, 2) the aggregation of the IC domain of the murine Fc gamma RIII gamma subunit is sufficient, but 3) the IC domain of the murine Fc gamma RIII alpha subunit is neither sufficient nor necessary for triggering serotonin release.     

Gamma-chain dependent recruitment of tyrosine kinases to membrane rafts by the human IgA receptor Fc alpha R.

We show that the human IgA receptor, Fc alpha R, redistributes to plasma membrane rafts after cross-linking and that tyrosine kinases are relocated to these sites following Fc alpha R capping. We demonstrate by confocal microscopy that Fc alpha R caps in membrane rafts by a gamma-chain-independent mechanism but that gamma-chain expression is necessary for Lyn redistribution. Immunoblotting of rafts isolated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation demonstrated recruitment of gamma-chain and phosphorylated tyrosine kinases Lyn and Bruton's tyrosine kinase to membrane rafts after Fc alpha R cross-linking. Time-dependent differences in Lyn phosphorylation and Bruton's tyrosine kinase distribution were observed between cells expressing Fc alpha R plus gamma-chain and cells expressing Fc alpha R only. This study defines early Fc alpha R-triggered membrane dynamics that take place before Fc alpha R internalization.     

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.