Raft localisation of FcgammaRIIa and efficient signaling are dependent on palmitoylation of cysteine 208.

Ligand-dependent aggregation of FcgammaRIIa initiates multiple biochemical processes including the translocation to detergent resistant membrane domains (DRMs) and receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. Palmitoylation of cysteine residues is considered to be one process that assists in the localisation of proteins to DRMs. Within the juxtamembrane region of FcgammaRIIa there is cysteine residue (C208) that we show to be palmitoylated. Mutation of this cysteine residue results in the disruption of FcgammaRIIa translocation to DRMs as empirically defined by insolubility at high Triton X-100 concentrations. This study also demonstrates that the lack of lipid raft association diminishes FcgammaRIIa signaling as measured by receptor phosphorylation and calcium mobilisation functions suggesting that FcgammaRIIa signaling is partially dependent on lipid rafts.

Isolation, tissue distribution, and chromosomal localization of a novel testis-specific human four-transmembrane gene related to CD20 and FcepsilonRI-beta.

CD20 and the beta subunit of the high affinity receptor for IgE (FcepsilonRIbeta) are related four-transmembrane molecules that are expressed on the surface of hematopoietic cells and play crucial roles in signal transduction. Herein, we report the identification and characterization of a human gene, TETM4, that encodes a novel four-transmembrane protein related to CD20 and FcepsilonRIbeta. The predicted TETM4 protein is 200 amino acids and contains four putative transmembrane regions, N- and C-terminal cytoplasmic domains, and three inter-transmembrane loop regions. TETM4 shows 31.0 and 23.2% overall identity with CD20 and FcepsilonRIbeta respectively, with the highest identity in the transmembrane regions, whereas the N- and C-termini and inter-transmembrane loops are more divergent. Northern blot and RT-PCR analysis suggest that TETM4 mRNA has a highly restricted tissue distribution, being expressed selectively in the testis. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization and radiation hybrid analysis, the TETM4 gene has been localized to chromosome 11q12. The genes for CD20 and FcepsilonRIbeta have also been mapped to the same region of chromosome 11 (11q12-13.1), suggesting that these genes have evolved by duplication to form a family of four-transmembrane genes. TETM4 is the first nonhematopoietic member of the CD20/FcepsilonRIbeta family, and like its hematopoietic-specific relatives, it may be involved in signal transduction as a component of a multimeric receptor complex.

Monoclonal antibodies and synthetic peptides define the active site of FcepsilonRI and a potential receptor antagonist.

Defining the structure of the human high-affinity receptor for IgE, Fc,RI, is crucial to understand the receptor:ligand interaction, and to develop drugs to prevent IgE-dependent allergic diseases. To this end, a series of four anti-FcepsilonRI monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), including three new mAbs, 47, 54, and 3B4, were used in conjunction with synthetic FcepsilonRI peptides to define functional regions of the Fc IgE-binding site and identify an antagonist of IgE binding. The spatial orientation of the epitopes detected by these antibodies and their relationship to the IgE-binding region of FcepsilonRI was defined by a homology model based on the closely related FcepsilonRIIa. Using recombinant soluble FcRI-alpha as well as FcepsilonRI-alpha expressed on the cell surface, a series of direct and competitive binding experiments indicated that the mAbs detected nonoverlapping epitopes. One antibody (15-1), previously thought to be located close to the IgE-binding site, was precisely mapped to a single loop within the IgE-binding site by both mutagenesis and overlapping synthetic peptides encompassing the entire extracellular domain. A synthetic peptide epsilonRI-11, containing the amino acids 101-120 and the mAb 15-1 epitope, inhibited IgE binding and may form the basis for the development of a useful receptor-based therapy.

Gain-of-function mutations in FcgammaRI of NOD mice: implications for the evolution of the Ig superfamily.

It has been postulated that, during evolution of the Ig superfamily, modifications of the function of individual receptors might occur by acquisition of exons and their subsequent modification, though evidence of this is lacking. Here we have analysed the interaction of mouse IgG subclasses with high-affinity FcgammaRI (CD64) which contains three Ig-like domains and is important in innate and adaptive immunity. This analysis has identified a mechanism by which the postulated modification of newly acquired exons provides gains in function. Thus, the most widely distributed FcgammaRI allele in mice (e.g. BALB/c), bound only a single IgG subclass, IgG2a, with high affinity. However, non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice expressed a unique allele that exhibits broader specificity and, in addition to binding IgG2a, FcgammaRI-NOD bound monomeric IgG3 and bound IgG2b with high affinity, an IgG subclass not bound by FcgammaRI of other mouse strains, either as monomer or multivalent immune complexes. Analysis of mutants of FcgammaRI wherein segments of the interdomain junctions were exchanged between FcgammaRI-BALB and FcgammaRI-NOD identified these regions as having major influence in 'gain-of-function' by the NOD form of FcgammaRI. Nucleotide sequence analysis of intron/exon boundaries encoding the interdomain junctions of the FcgammaRI alleles showed these to have arisen by mutation to alter existing or create new mRNA splice donor/acceptor sites, resulting in generation of modified junctions.

Identification of the mouse IgG3 receptor: implications for antibody effector function at the interface between innate and adaptive immunity.

Mouse IgG3 appears early in immune responses independently of T cell help and, as such, is an early effector molecule of the immune system. Yet, a specific IgG3 cellular receptor remains undefined. In transfection experiments, mouse Fc gammaRI was clearly able to bind immune complexes of IgG3, whereas mouse Fc gammaRII could not. Furthermore, macrophages from mice expressing Fc gammaRII and Fc gammaRIII but lacking Fc gammaRI were unable to phagocytose IgG3 immune complexes, thus identifying mouse Fc gammaRI as the sole receptor for IgG3 immune complexes. Competition studies demonstrated that monomeric mouse IgG3 could inhibit IgG2a binding to mouse Fc gammaRI with an ID50 approximately 10(-7) M (fivefold lower than IgG2a). The identification of mouse Fc gammaRI as the IgG3 receptor establishes Fc gammaRI as a participant in events at the interface between innate and adaptive immunity, implying a greater role for this receptor in the development of normal and pathologic immune responses than previously recognized.

Extracellular mutations of non-obese diabetic mouse FcgammaRI modify surface expression and ligand binding.

The non-obese diabetic mouse (NOD) expresses a unique form of the high affinity receptor for IgG (FcgammaRI), containing multiple mutations that result in substitutions and insertions of amino acids and a truncated cytoplasmic tail. As a result of these major changes, receptor affinity for IgG increases 10-fold over that of wild-type FcgammaRI from BALB/c mice, while the specificity for ligand is retained. Kinetic analysis revealed that while the association rate of IgG with FcgammaRI from NOD mice (FcgammaRI-NOD) and FcgammaRI from BALB/c mice (FcgammaRI-BALB) is similar, IgG bound much more tightly to FcgammaRI-NOD as revealed by a profoundly diminished dissociation rate. Transfection studies demonstrated that FcgammaRI-NOD was expressed at one-tenth of the level of FcgammaRI-BALB. Although mouse FcgammaRI was previously not known to associate with the FcepsilonRI gamma-subunit, transfection of COS-7 cells demonstrates that like human FcgammaRI, mouse FcgammaRI is also able to associate with this signaling subunit. Furthermore, expression levels of FcgammaRI-NOD were not restored by the presence of the FcepsilonRI gamma-subunit. The difference in the levels of expression was mapped to mutations in the extracellular region of FcgammaRI-NOD as replacement of the extracellular domains with those of human FcgammaRI or FcgammaRI-BALB restored expression to that of human FcgammaRI or FcgammaRI-BALB.

Expression of recombinant soluble Fc epsilon RI: function and tissue distribution studies.

Recombinant soluble IgE Fc receptors (rsFc epsilon RI) are potent inhibitors of type I hypersensitivity reactions tested in a local inflammatory setting. However, the fate of these receptors in vivo is dependent on the cellular source of the rsFc epsilon RI. We have produced these by transiently transfecting Cos-7 cells with a cDNA encoding the extracellular domains of human Fc epsilon RI alpha-chain. Following affinity purification, the rsFc epsilon RI was characterized as 58,000 MW, which was reduced to 23,000 MW following endoglycosidase F treatment. The purified rsFc epsilon RI could inhibit mouse IgE binding to Fc epsilon RI+ transfected CHO-K1 cells in vitro, bind sIgE+ B lymphoma cells in vitro, and inhibit the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis model in vivo in Sprague-Dawley rats. Pharmacokinetic studies in vivo involving intravenous injection of radiolabelled rsFc epsilon RI in mice revealed the receptor to have a rapid initial blood clearance (t1/2 early phase of 15 min) and to accumulate in the liver before being detected in urine. The localization of rsFc epsilon RI in the liver could be blocked by administration of mannose glycosylated ovalbumin and mannan, demonstrating that liver uptake involved the mannose receptor that is expressed on liver sinusoid cells and Kupffer cells. The production of rsFc epsilon RI using a stable expression system in CHO-K1 cells produced functional receptor of the same molecular weight as the Cos-7 system by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). However, biodistribution studies demonstrated differences; the CHO-K1 cell-produced material did not localize to the liver in comparison to the Cos-7-produced rsFc epsilon RI.

Multiple regions of human Fc gamma RII (CD32) contribute to the binding of IgG.

The low affinity receptor for IgG, Fc gamma RII (CD32), has a wide distribution on hematopoietic cells where it is responsible for a diverse range of cellular responses crucial for immune regulation and resistance to infection. Fc gamma RII is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, containing an extracellular region of two Ig-like domains. The IgG binding site of human Fc gamma RII has been localized to an 8-amino acid segment of the second extracellular domain, Asn154-Ser161. In this study, evidence is presented to suggest that domain 1 and two additional regions of domain 2 also contribute to the binding of IgG by Fc gamma RII. Chimeric receptors generated by exchanging the extracellular domains and segments of domain 2 between Fc gamma RII and the structurally related Fc epsilon RI alpha chain were used to demonstrate that substitution of domain 1 in its entirety or the domain 2 regions encompassing residues Ser109-Val116 and Ser130-Thr135 resulted in a loss of the ability of these receptors to bind hIgG1 in dimeric form. Site-directed mutagenesis performed on individual residues within and flanking the Ser109-Val116 and Ser130-Thr135 domain 2 segments indicated that substitution of Lys113, Pro114, Leu115, Val116, Phe129, and His131 profoundly decreased the binding of hIgG1, whereas substitution of Asp133 and Pro134 increased binding. These findings suggest that not only is domain 1 contributing to the affinity of IgG binding by Fc gamma RII but, importantly, that the domain 2 regions Ser109-Val116 and Phe129-Thr135 also play key roles in the binding of hIgG1. The location of these binding regions on a molecular model of the entire extracellular region of Fc gamma RII indicates that they comprise loops that are juxtaposed in domain 2 at the interface with domain 1, with the putative crucial binding residues forming a hydrophobic pocket surrounded by a wall of predominantly aromatic and basic residues.

Identification of the IgG binding site of the human low affinity receptor for IgG Fc gamma RII. Enhancement and ablation of binding by site-directed mutagenesis.

Fc receptor-antibody interactions are key mechanisms through which antibody effector functions are mediated. The low affinity receptor for IgG, Fc gamma RII, is expressed on most hematopoietic cells, and through the binding of immune complexes mediates a large spectrum of biological responses vital for resistance to infection and the regulation of immunity. In this study the key residues of human Fc gamma RII involved in the interaction with IgG1 have been identified. Chimeric receptors composed of extracellular regions of Fc gamma RII and the Fc epsilon RI alpha chain have been used to localize the IgG1 binding site of Fc gamma RII to an 8-residue stretch in the second extracellular domain, Asn154 to Ser161. Site-directed mutagenesis of this region revealed that substitution of Ile155 or Gly156 with alanine ablated the binding of human and mouse IgG1, whereas replacement of Leu159, Phe160, or Ser161 with alanine enhanced binding. Molecular modeling has been used to generate a putative 3-dimensional model structure of the second extracellular domain of Fc gamma RII, suggesting that the binding site lies in an exposed loop region at the interface of domains 1 and 2.

Tumor-associated karyotypic lesions coselected with in vitro macrophage differentiation.

Several cytogenetic lesions in chromosomes 2, 5, 12, and 16 have been repeatedly coselected with in vitro macrophage differentiation in a clonal murine thymic tumor cell line. Parental-type subclones, which show an extremely immature hemopoietic phenotype, do not carry the aberrations. The frequency of the stable differentiated variants is elevated by 5-azacytidine and bromodeoxyuridine, consistent with chromosome breakage being responsible for the phenotype. The frequency is also raised by dexamethasone. Since variants are 300-3,000-fold more resistant to dexamethasone than parental clones, we interpret this to be largely due to selection. Three of the lesions, on chromosome 2, match those previously described as associated specifically with in vivo-generated murine myeloid tumors, induced by X irradiation and corticosteroid treatment. Several implications follow from these observations. (1) In vitro differentiation in clonal tumor cell lines can be used to select for tumor-associated lesions. This should allow genetic and molecular analysis of the chromosome 2 lesions and of others that may pinpoint genes critical to macrophage differentiation and transformation. (2) Myeloid and lymphoid tumors that occur in response to X irradiation may diverge from a common initiating tumor. (3) The hemopoietic lineage switch phenomenon, previously described by several authors, may be caused by similar or identical chromosome aberrations.

Effects of PMA, cytokines and dexamethasone on the expression of cell surface Fc receptors and mRNA in U937 cells.

Fc receptors (FcR) are of importance in immune and inflammatory reactions. FcR expression as mRNA and surface protein was therefore examined in the myelomonocytic cell line, U937, after stimulation with phorbol ester (PMA), in the presence of seven different cytokines (interferon-gamma [IFN gamma], IFN alpha, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF], tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF alpha], TNF beta, interleukin-beta [IL-1 beta], IL-2) or dexamethasone. HLA class I and CD11b expression were also examined. Cell surface expression of FcRI and II was measured by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies, and the mRNA of FcRII was measured with cDNA or oligonucleotide probes. The major findings were: PMA increased cell surface FcRI, FcRII and CD11b, but decreased HLA; PMA caused a fivefold increase in all three FcRII RNA transcripts (2.5, 1.5 and 0.9 kb) in Northern analysis; IFN gamma, IFN alpha and GM-CSF increased the expression of FcRI and II, and there was no effect with IL-1 beta, IL-2, TNF alpha or TNF beta (only GM-CSF increased the expression of CD11b); all cytokines further increased FcRI and FcRII expression in the presence of PMA; HLA expression was also increased in the presence of PMA, IFN alpha and IFN gamma; dexamethasone reduced the levels of FcRI and II in cells stimulated with PMA with or without cytokines. Thus stimulatory agents and cytokines can alter the expression of surface Fc gamma R and mRNA encoding FcRI or II, providing potential control mechanisms for the modulation of these receptors in inflammatory responses.

Structure and mapping of the gene encoding mouse high affinity Fc gamma RI and chromosomal location of the human Fc gamma RI gene.

We describe the isolation and characterization of the gene encoding the mouse high affinity Fc receptor Fc gamma RI. Using a mouse cDNA Fc gamma RI probe four unique overlapping genomic clones were isolated and were found to encode the entire 9 kb of the mouse Fc gamma RI gene. Sequence analysis of the gene showed that six exons account for the entire Fc gamma RI cDNA sequences including the 5'- and 3'-untranslated sequences. The first and second exons encode the signal peptide; exons 3, 4, and 5 encode the extracellular Ig binding domains; and exon 6 encodes the transmembrane domain, the cytoplasmic region, and the entire 3'-untranslated sequence. This exon pattern is similar to Fc gamma RIII and Fc epsilon RI but differs from the related Fc gamma RII gene which contains 10 exons and encodes the b1 and b2 Fc gamma RII. Southern blot analysis had shown that the mouse Fc gamma RI gene is a single copy gene with no RFLP in inbred strains of mice, but analysis of an intersubspecies backcross of mice showed that unlike other mouse FcR genes which are on mouse chromosome 1 the locus encoding Fc gamma RI, termed Fcg1, is located on chromosome 3. Interestingly, the Fcg1 locus is located near the end of a region with known linkage homology to human chromosome 1. Analysis of human x rodent somatic cell hybrid cell lines indicates that the human FCG1 locus encoding the human Fc gamma RI maps to chromosome I and therefore possibly linked to other FcR genes on this chromosome. These results suggest that the linkage relationships among these genes in the human genome are not preserved in the mouse.

Chimeric Fc receptors identify functional domains of the murine high affinity receptor for IgG.

Chimeric Fc gamma R have been generated between the mouse high affinity receptor for IgG (Fc gamma RI) and the low affinity receptor for IgG (Fc gamma RII) by exchanging the first two domains of the three-domain extracellular structure of Fc gamma RI with the homologous two-domain extracellular structure of Fc gamma RII. Studies of the affinity and specificity of binding of mouse Ig classes to these receptors defined functional regions of Fc gamma RI and showed some surprising results. After removal of the third extracellular domain of Fc gamma RI, the remaining two domains (domains 1 and 2) retained the capacity to bind Ig in the form of immune complexes, however, they bound monomeric IgG2a with a reduced affinity. Surprisingly, these two domains in the absence of the third domain bound not only IgG2a but also IgG1 and IgG2b, i.e., the third domain of Fc gamma RI suppresses the intrinsic capacity of the first two domains to act as a low affinity Fc gamma RII-like molecule. Linking the third extracellular domain of Fc gamma RI to the two extracellular domains of Fc gamma RII resulted in a receptor that retained the specificity and affinity of Fc gamma RII. Thus, the removal of domain 3 from Fc gamma RI resulted in the conversion of Fc gamma RI to an "Fc gamma RII-like" receptor. These findings indicate that domains 1 and 2 of Fc gamma RI form an Ig-binding motif, and although domain 3 is not essential for Fc binding by Fc gamma RI, it plays a crucial role in determining the specific high affinity interaction of Fc gamma RI with IgG2a.

Fc gamma RII restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP): analysis in systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma and evidence of an alpha gene duplication.

The characteristic finding of high levels of circulating immune complexes in patients with the autoimmune connective tissue diseases systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or scleroderma has raised the possibility that these patients may have a primary defect in immune complex clearance. The Fc receptor for IgG (Fc gamma R) plays a central role in the phagocytosis of antibody complexes. We have analysed Fc gamma R (type II) RFLPs identified in TaqI- and MspI-restricted genomic DNA and found that their distribution in SLE and scleroderma did not differ significantly from controls. Hybridization with specific regions of the Fc gamma RII cDNA clone indicate that part of the Fc gamma RII alpha locus is duplicated in some individuals. A further Fc gamma RII gene has recently been identified (Fc gamma RII alpha'). This gene shows greater than 95% homology with Fc gamma RII alpha and may thus be the candidate gene for the apparent alpha duplication seen in some individuals. It is possible that an individual may possess one, two, three or four TaqI Fc gamma RII alpha/alpha' alleles, correlating with incidence and numerical heterogeneity in Fc gamma RII alpha and alpha'. The physiological effects of this numerical heterogeneity remain to be investigated.

Structure of the mouse beta Fc gamma receptor II gene.

We have isolated and deduced the structure of the beta Fc gamma RII gene from the mouse. This gene spans approximately 18 kb of DNA; the structure and nucleotide sequence has been determined and potential regulatory sites identified. This gene is composed of 10 exons that give rise to the beta 1 and beta 2 Fc gamma RII cDNA. Four exons encode the 5' untranslated region and leader sequence, one exon for each Ig-binding domain and membrane-spanning region and three exons encoding the cytoplasmic tail and 3' untranslated region. Analysis of the gene structure indicated that the beta 1Fc gamma RII and beta 2Fc gamma RII arise by differential mRNA splicing when a single 141-bp exon (exon 8) is alternately spliced to give rise to these isoforms. Sequence analysis of 2 kbp upstream of the transcription start site indicated the presence of regulatory elements, including three binding sites for the transcription factor Sp1, and Ap-4 binding site, a tandem glucocorticoid response element, and an overlapping tandem repeat. Furthermore, as in the Thy-1 gene, no CAT or TATA consensus sequences were observed. In addition, sites of methylation that regulate expression of this gene were also located at the 5' end of the gene and within several introns. A large intron located between exons 4 and 5 also contained a series of purine/pyrimidine-rich regions and a potential enhancer sequence.

Soluble Fc gamma receptors II (Fc gamma RII) are generated by cleavage of membrane Fc gamma RII.

This study describes the production of soluble Fc gamma RII by a cell line, D1B1, obtained by transfection of mouse L cells with a murine beta 1 Fc gamma RII cDNA. Upon incubation at 37 degrees C, radioiodinated D1B1 cells release a 39-kDa soluble Fc gamma RII, reacting with the rat anti-mouse Fc gamma RII monoclonal antibody 2.4G2, and binding to mouse IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG1 but not IgG3. In contrast to the transmembrane 50- to 70-kDa receptor, this soluble Fc gamma RII does not react with antibodies directed against a peptide corresponding to the 15 carboxy-terminal intracytoplasmic amino acids of beta Fc gamma RIII. N-Glycosidase F treatment generates a 18-kDa polypeptide. A 32- to 40-kDa soluble Fc gamma RII, which resolves into 18.5- and 20-kDa polypeptides after deglycosylation, was also isolated from the culture medium of unlabeled D1B1 cells. Therefore, this study indicates that soluble Fc gamma RII corresponding to the two extracellular domains of Fc gamma RII are generated by cleavage of membrane Fc gamma RII. Proteolysis occurs most probably at the vicinity of the transmembrane region of the receptor, around amino acids 165 to 180.

Characterization and expression of an Fc gamma receptor cDNA cloned from rat natural killer cells.

A cDNA clone for an IgG-binding Fc receptor, rtFc gamma R alpha, of the rat natural killer cell line CRNK-16 is characterized here. This clone encodes an Fc gamma receptor as shown by the ability of cDNA-transfected COS cells to rosette IgG-coated sheep erythrocytes. The rtFc gamma R alpha is exceptionally homologous to the mouse moFc gamma R alpha, with 77% protein sequence identity and 71% nucleic acid identity overall. The transmembrane region of the rtFc gamma R alpha contains the sequence Leu-Phe-Ala-Val-Asp-Thr-Gly-Leu, which is present in the membrane sequences of four other Fc receptors including mouse Fc gamma R alpha, human Fc gamma RIII-2, and the Fc epsilon R alpha subunits of the rat and human high-affinity IgE-binding receptors. Also, the rtFc gamma R alpha cytoplasmic domain exhibits specific homology to other receptors derived from natural killer cells, human Fc gamma RIII-2 and mouse Fc gamma R alpha. However, the rtFc gamma R alpha cDNA clone is complementary to at least two different-sized mRNAs expressed by CRNK-16 cells, contrasting the single Fc gamma R-related mRNA species expressed by human and mouse natural killer cells. These rat mRNAs are homologous to both the 5' and the 3' end of the cDNA clone, suggesting that they may be (i) splice variants of one transcript or (ii) products of different but highly related genes.