Peptides that mimic Candida albicans-derived beta-1,2-linked mannosides

Beta-1,2-linked mannosides from Candida albicans phosphopeptidomannan (PPM) bind to macrophages through a receptor independent from the macrophage alpha-linked mannose receptor and stimulate these cells to secrete immune mediators. Anti-beta-1,2-linked mannoside but not anti-alpha-linked mannoside antibodies produced after immunization with neoglycoproteins protect animals from disseminated candidiasis. In this study, peptides that mimic beta-1,2-linked mannosides were isolated using phage display methodology. A phage library expressing random peptides was panned with an anti-beta-1,2-linked mannoside monoclonal antibody (mAb). After three rounds of biopanning, the isolated phages were able to inhibit recognition of C. albicans by the mAb. Sixty percent of the phages had an identical DNA insert corresponding to the peptide sequence FHENWPS that was recognized specifically by the mAb. Injection of KLH-coupled peptide into mice generated high titers of polyclonal antibodies against C. albicans yeast cell walls. The anti-FHENWPS antibodies bound to C. albicans PPM and were inhibited by soluble beta-1,2-mannotetraose. Together, these data provide evidence for mimotopic activity of the peptide selected by biopanning with the anti-beta-1,2-oligomannoside mAb.

Role of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase cascade in macrophage killing of Candida albicans

The pathogenic yeast Candida albicans and its derived molecules stimulate a wide range of macrophage secretory functions and may adapt to escape being killed by this phagocyte. In this study, phagocytosis of C. albicans and of the nonpathogenic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was shown to be associated with phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellularly regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in the absence of significant activation of either p38MAPK or stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase. However, although 80% of endocytosed C. albicans survived after 1 h, 80% of S. cerevisiae cells were killed. Considerable quantitative differences were observed between the two species in the sequential phosphorylation of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK), extracellularly regulated kinase-1, and 90-kDa-ribosomal S6 kinases. A lower level of activation of the pathway by C. albicans was associated with a species-specific overexpression of the MEK phosphatase MAPK phosphatase (MKP)-1. Killing of both C. albicans and S. cerevisiae could be reduced using PD98059, which mimics MKP-1 and inhibits MEK phosphorylation, suggesting that specific MKP-1 activation by C. albicans could contribute to its ability to escape the yeast lytic potential of macrophages.

beta-1,2-linked oligomannosides from Candida albicans bind to a 32-kilodalton macrophage membrane protein homologous to the mammalian lectin galectin-3

beta-1,2-linked oligomannoside residues are present, associated with mannan and a glycolipid, the phospholipomannan, at the Candida albicans cell wall surface. beta-1,2-linked oligomannoside residues act as adhesins for macrophages and stimulate these cells to undergo cytokine production. To characterize the macrophage receptor involved in the recognition of C. albicans beta-1,2-oligomannoside we used the J774 mouse cell line, which is devoid of the receptor specific for alpha-linked mannose residues. A series of experiments based on affinity binding on either C. albicans yeast cells or beta-1,2-oligomannoside-conjugated bovine serum albumin (BSA) and subsequent disclosure with biotinylated conjugated BSA repeatedly led to the detection of a 32-kDa macrophage protein. An antiserum specific for this 32-kDa protein inhibited C. albicans binding to macrophages and was used to immunoprecipitate the molecule. Two high-pressure liquid chromatography-purified peptides from the 32-kDa tryptic digest showed complete homology to galectin-3 (previously designated Mac-2 antigen), an endogenous lectin with pleiotropic functions which is expressed in a wide variety of cell types with which C. albicans interacts as a saprophyte or a parasite.

Candida albicans-derived beta-1,2-linked mannooligosaccharides induce desensitization of macrophages

Candida albicans beta-1,2-oligomannosides stimulate macrophage tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) but not NO release. This stimulation desensitized macrophages by altering beta-1, 2-oligomannoside-dependent TNF-alpha production and lipopolysaccharide-dependent TNF-alpha and NO secretion. Desensitization was not related to tyrosine phosphorylation signal transduction but was transferred by culture supernatants in which arachidonic acid derivatives were evidenced.

The Candida albicans phospholipomannan is a family of glycolipids presenting phosphoinositolmannosides with long linear chains of beta-1,2-linked mannose residues

In a series of studies, we have shown that Candida albicans synthesizes a glycolipid, phospholipomannan (PLM), which reacted with antibodies specific for beta-1,2-oligomannosides and was biosynthetically labeled by [(3)H]mannose, [(3)H]palmitic acid, and [(32)P]phosphorus. PLM has also been shown to be released from the C. albicans cell wall and to bind to and stimulate macrophage cells. In this study, we show by thin layer chromatography scanning of metabolically radiolabeled extracts that the C. albicans PLM corresponds to a family of mannose and inositol co-labeled glycolipids. We describe the purification process of the molecule and the release of its glycan fraction through alkaline hydrolysis. Analysis of this glycan fraction by radiolabeling and methylation-methanolysis confirmed the presence of inositol and of 1, 2-linked mannose units. NMR studies evidenced linear chains of beta-1,2-oligomannose as the major PLM components. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that these chains were present in phosphoinositolmannosides with degrees of polymerization varying from 8 to 18 sugar residues. The PLM appears as a new type of eukaryotic inositol-tagged glycolipid in relationship to both the absence of glucosamine and the organization of its glycan chains. This first structural evidence for the presence of beta-1, 2-oligomannosides in a glycoconjugate other than the C. albicans phosphopeptidomannan may have some pathophysiological relevance to the adhesive, protective epitope, and signaling properties thus far established for these residues.

Early signal transduction induced by Candida albicans in macrophages through shedding of a glycolipid

Cell wall beta-1,2-oligomannosides are involved in Candida albicans binding to macrophages and in their stimulation to produce cytokines. The nature of signaling events occurring during initial interaction of macrophage J774 cell line and C. albicans, together with the nature of molecules containing beta-1,2-oligomannosides released by the yeasts, was examined. Cocultivation led to a herbimycin A-sensitive production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting confirmed tyrosine phosphorylation and revealed an accumulation of 90- to 120-kDa phosphoproteins. Antibodies specific for beta-1,2-oligomannosides showed that these epitopes were shed at an early stage from the yeasts to the macrophage membrane, in association with a glycolipid previously described as C. albicans phospholipomannan. Incubation of macrophages with purified phospholipomannan alone led to a signal transduction pathway identical to that observed with living yeasts. All of these results demonstrate that C. albicans phospholipomannan shedding is involved in C. albicans-macrophage interaction through beta-1,2-oligomannosides.

Definitive chemical evidence for the constitutive ability of Candida albicans serotype A strains to synthesize beta-1,2 linked oligomannosides containing up to 14 mannose residues

We have previously reported the presence of phosphate bound beta-1,2 linked oligomannosides with unusually high degrees of polymerization (DP > 7) in the mannan of Candida albicans strain VW32. To confirm this observation, we have prepared these oligomannosides from the mannan of C. albicans strain NIH A 207. Gel filtration chromatography and TLC analysis revealed DP up to 14. For both strains, NMR analysis confirmed the exclusive presence of beta-1,2 linkages in the pools of oligomannosides with a DP higher than 6 which presented an average DP of 10.6 (VW32) and 10.4 (NIH A 207). These results are important to consider in relation with the ability of these C. albicans derived oligomannosides to trigger TNFalpha synthesis according to their DP.

Differential humoral response against alpha- and beta-linked mannose residues associated with tissue invasion by Candida albicans

Candida albicans mannan is the major cell wall antigen that elicits antibodies considered to be of little diagnostic value. It comprises epitopes corresponding to sequences of alpha- and beta-1,2-linked mannose residues. Both types of oligomannosidic epitopes may also be present on the glycosidic portions of other C. albicans molecules, i.e., mannoproteins (MP) (either structural or enzymatic) and glycolipids. The human humoral responses against beta-1,2- and alpha-linked oligomannosides were investigated by C. albicans Western blotting by considering the elective distribution of beta-1,2-oligomannosidic epitopes over a 14- to 18-kDa phospholipomannan (PLM) and the presence of alpha-mannosidic epitopes over heavily glycosylated MP. Western blotting of 51 control sera confirmed the presence of antibodies against C. albicans as a commensal member of the indigenous microflora; an immunoglobulin G (IgG) reactivity linked to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay mannan signals was found for both PLM (beta-1,2-Man residues) and MP (alpha-Man residues). Despite strong reactivities against mannan and MP, IgG from 21 hospitalized patients with mycological evidence of deep-tissue invasion by C. albicans very significantly failed to react or reacted only faintly with PLM. This downregulation of anti-beta-1,2-oligomannosidic epitopes, associated with tissue invasion by C. albicans, was confirmed in 3 of 4 AIDS patients with extended oroesophageal candidosis. The application of a dissociation procedure proved that the absence of PLM reactivity was not due to the presence of immune complexes. These data provide the first evidence for a qualitative modification of the human antimannan antibody response associated with the C. albicans commensal-pathogenic transition.

Evidence for different mannosylation processes involved in the association of beta-1,2-linked oligomannosidic epitopes in Candida albicans mannan and phospholipomannan

A monoclonal antibody specific for beta-1,2-linked oligomannosides was used to study the association of these residues with Candida albicans mannan and phospholipomannan (PLM) in relation to growth conditions and in mannan mutant strains. Double immunofluorescence assays performed on cells grown under standard conditions indicated a highly heterogeneous cell surface expression of these epitopes in comparison with the homogeneous expression of alpha-linked oligomannosidic epitopes. Growth in the presence of tunicamycin, which inhibits mannan N-glycosylation, resulted in an absence of beta-1,2-oligomannosidic epitopes on the cell surface, although PLM synthesis still occurred as shown by autoradiography. Similarly, growth in acidic conditions, which inhibits the incorporation of beta-1,2-oligomannosides in mannan, resulted in an absence of beta-1,2-oligomannosidic epitopes at the cell surface, although they still associated with PLM as shown by Western blotting. Western blots of C. albicans mutant strains with reduced amounts or an absence of phosphorus and acid-labile beta-1,2-oligomannosides in their mannan confirmed that the association of beta-1,2-linked oligomannosides with mannan and with PLM involves different mannosylation processes.

Beta-1,2-linked oligomannosides inhibit Candida albicans binding to murine macrophage

Interaction of Candida albicans with cells of the macrophage lineage was examined by using heat-killed (HK) and live yeast cells. Laminarin, an analogue of the cell wall beta-glucans, strongly inhibited HK yeasts adherence to J774 cell line but had no effect on live yeast binding. Phosphopeptidomannan (PPM) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae had a limited effect on the binding of both HK and live yeasts but significant inhibition was achieved by the use of C. albicans PPM. The role of beta-1,2-oligomannosides was examined with regard to their exclusive presence within C. albicans PPM. PPM acid labile beta-1,2-oligomannosides or a synthetic beta-1,2-mannotetraose, inhibited yeasts binding in a manner comparable to the original PPM. These latter results were confirmed by using mouse peritoneal macrophages, thus suggesting a general role for beta-1,2-oligomannosides in the adherence of the yeast to the macrophage membrane.

Mapping of beta-1,2-linked oligomannosidic epitopes among glycoconjugates of Candida species

The distribution of beta-1,2-linked oligomannosides among glycoconjugates of various Candida species was investigated by Western blotting, using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies which react with these epitopes. Expression of beta-1,2-linked oligomannosidic epitopes on a 14-18 kDa polydisperse antigen nonreactive with concanavalin A (ConA), previously identified as a C. albicans serotype A phospholipomannan (PLM), appeared to be restricted to C. albicans serotypes A and B (including var. C. stellatoidea types I and II) and C. tropicalis. In C. albicans, beta-1,2-linked oligomannosidic epitopes also appeared to be slightly associated with high molecular mass (> 100 kDa) polydisperse ConA-reactive mannoproteins. For all the other Candida strains investigated, belonging to the species C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, C. glabrata and C. robusta (S. cerevisiae), beta-1,2-linked oligomannosidic epitopes were found to be present in association with medium molecular mass (18-100 kDa) and high molecular mass ConA-reactive mannoproteins, giving reproducible labelling profiles that varied between species.

Beta-1,2-linked oligomannosides from Candida albicans act as signals for tumor necrosis factor alpha production

Different cell wall components from Candida albicans have been shown to stimulate murine macrophages for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion. All of these molecules contain beta-1,2-oligomannosides. In order to examine their role in TNF-alpha production, acid-labile oligosaccharides, released from C. albicans VW32 cell wall phosphopeptidomannan by mild acid hydrolysis, and previously shown to correspond to homopolymers of beta-1,2-linked mannopyranosyl units, were separated by gel filtration chromatography according to their degree of polymerization. Murine macrophages incubated with purified oligomannosides (M2 to M8) released TNF-alpha to an extent which was dependent on, although not directly correlated with, the length of the mannosyl chain. Slight activity was observed with M4 and M5; M6 and M7 had virtually no effect, whereas M8 was associated with strong TNF-alpha release. This effect of M8 was dose dependent and was not altered by polymyxin B, known to interfere with lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha production. These results suggest that stimulation of TNF-alpha release by C. albicans glycoconjugates containing beta-1,2-linked oligomannosides may be due, at least in part, to the presence of these components.

The Candida albicans phospholipomannan induces in vitro production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha from human and murine macrophages

We have previously identified a Candida albicans 14,000-18,000 MW antigen reacting with anti-beta-1,2-linked oligomannosides antibodies as being a phospholipomannan (PLM). Because of the structural similarities between the C. albicans PLM and lipophosphoglycans from various microbial pathogens known to be potent tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inducers, we investigated the PLM ability to induce TNF-alpha. Incubation of human monocytic cells THP-1 with PLM led to dose-dependent production of TNF-alpha that was significantly increased by prestimulation of the cells with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Production of TNF-alpha by macrophages under PLM stimulation was confirmed by using macrophages elicited from the mouse peritoneal cavity. In all investigated conditions, PLM-induced TNF-alpha production differed significantly in both kinetics and dose dependence from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction used as control. It appears, therefore, that the C. albicans PLM shares functional homologies with microbial lipophosphoglycans identified as pathogenicity factors, although prestimulation of the target cells was required for the PLM-derived opportunistic pathogen to trigger the cytokine network.

Isolation and preliminary characterization of the 14- to 18-kilodalton Candida albicans antigen as a phospholipomannan containing beta-1,2-linked oligomannosides

Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of Candida albicans germ tube extracts has demonstrated the probable presence of beta-1,2-linked oligomannosides acting as epitopes distributed over a 14- to 18-kDa antigen unreactive to concanavalin A. These conclusions about the existence of these non-mannan-associated oligomannoside species were reinforced in the present study by the demonstration of reactivity of factor serum 5 (Iatron Laboratories) with the same antigen. A monoclonal antibody which reacted in an enzyme immunoassay with beta-1,2-linked oligomannosides converted into neoglycolipids and in Western blotting with the 14- to 18-kDa antigen from yeast and germ tubes, through metaperiodate-sensitive epitopes, was used for further characterization of the molecule. Reducing agents and strong protease digestion, which have deleterious effects on C. albicans proteins and mannoproteins, affected neither the antigenicity nor the relative molecular weight of the molecule. Western blots performed after migration of protease-treated extracts in polyacrylamide gels without sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) showed that the 14- to 18-kDa antigen could be negatively charged, whereas metabolic radiolabeling demonstrated that these charges could originate, at least in part, from the presence of phosphorus within the molecule. Chloroform-methanol-water extraction of protease-resistant material led to purification of the 14- to 18-kDa antigen, as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. Metabolic radiolabeling with mannose confirmed the presence of these sugar residues within the purified 14- to 18-kDa antigen (despite its nonreactivity to concanavalin A), whereas radiolabeling with palmitic acid demonstrated its lipopolysaccharidic nature. Together, these results led to the conclusion that the 14- to 18-kDa antigen is a phospholipomannan.

Lectin-carbohydrate interactions and infectivity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)

The aim of this study was to determine whether mannosyl-specific lectins, especially Concanavalin A (ConA), may bridge HIV-1 env glycoproteins to cell membranes to increase virus binding to its targets, and to what extent this lectin-carbohydrate interaction can modify HIV-1 infectivity for monocytic compared with lymphoid cells. Monocytic U937 and lymphoid CEM cells, which both express surface mannose, were utilized. Whether first incubated with env glycoprotein or with the cells, lectins bound both to the cells and to radiolabeled recombinant gp160 (rgp160). Thus, they enhanced rgp160 adsorption to the cells in a methyl-alpha-mannose inhibitable manner. ConA did not appear to bind to the V1 domain of CD4 at the U937 cell surface since Leu3a binding was not blocked in the presence of ConA, nor was recombinant CD4 retained on a ConA-agarose affinity matrix. Moreover, enhanced rgp160 binding to the cells was CD4 independent, since it was not modified by preincubating the cells with Leu3a. Finally, ConA did not inhibit the binding of CD4-IgG3 chimeric molecules to virions immobilized on nitrocellulose membrane, which argues against the possibility that it interferes with the interaction of gp120 and CD4. However, both when incubated with the virus or with the cells and despite mediating enhanced binding of env glycoprotein, ConA neutralized HIV-1 infectivity for monocytic U937 as well as for lymphoid CEM cells. In this respect, ConA behaves like neutralizing antibodies which do not interfere with CD4 binding of gp120 but rather with some later event that leads to virus entry. These findings obtained with plant lectins may be of relevance in vivo, inasmuch as endogenous mannosyl-binding proteins, which are known to function as opsonins, have been reported to inhibit in vitro infection by HIV-1.

Infection of monocytic cells by HIV1: combined role of FcR and CD4

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) complexed with human anti-HIV IgG can attach to Fc gamma receptors (Fch) of mononuclear phagocytes. To determine whether the FcR-mediated infection that results also requires interaction between HIV gp120 and cell membrane CD4, monocytic cells of the U937 line were transiently treated with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) so that they temporarily presented a CD4-FcR+ phenotype at the time of HIV infection. HIV production was not abolished, but only significantly delayed after infection of these cells with free virus. Leu3a monoclonal antibody or soluble recombinant CD4 completely blocked this delayed infection. This indicates that enough CD4 still remained at the membrane to allow infection of a reduced cell number. Infection of PDB-treated cells with virus preincubated with high anti-HIV IgG concentrations was inhibited, contrasting with what was observed with control cells infected under the same conditions. Inhibition of infection was also observed when HIV became attached to untreated U937 cells through the binding of CD4-IgG hybrid molecules to FcR. Thus, the binding of IgG-coated virus to FcR is not sufficient in itself to elicit productive infection of monocytic cells, which still requires the interaction of viral gp120 and membrane CD4.

HIV infection of monocytic cells: rôle of antibody-mediated virus binding to Fc-gamma receptors

We investigated whether human immunoglobulin G (IgG) directed to gp110 may serve as an attachment system to Fc-gamma receptors (Fc-gamma R), allowing eventual infection of cells of the macrophage lineage. An anti-HIV IgG preparation that prevented viral particles and soluble recombinant radiolabelled envelope precursor gp160 from binding to CD4 on CEM lymphoid cells, and that strongly inhibited infection of these cells by HIV, was selected. In contrast, anti-HIV IgG, whether or not previously complexed to viral particles, bound to monocytic U937 cells that express both high Fc-gamma RI and low affinity Fc-gamma RII receptors. Precoating these cells with anti-HIV IgG or complexing the antibodies with soluble 125I-gp160 resulted in increased fixation of gp160 to the cells, which was inhibited by aggregated human normal IgG. These data indicate that anti-HIV IgG-dependent attachment of gp160 to monocytic cells occurs through both types of Fc-gamma R. In addition, this method of attachment resulted in productive infection of U937 cells that, since it was blocked in the presence of Leu3a, still appeared to involve gp110-CD4 interaction. Only slight enhancement of infectivity, such as described for other enveloped viruses, was noted, even when antibody concentration was titrated down. This mechanism may be one of the explanations why the humoral response to HIV is not usually protective.

Total and specific IgE in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of rats and guinea pigs infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis

The total and specific IgE response to Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection was evaluated according to host permissiveness. Total IgE levels measured by a double antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA) increased slowly in the permissive host (the rat), reaching a maximum between 4 and 8 weeks after infection. This maximum was earlier but significantly lower in the non-permissive host (the guinea pig). IgE antibodies specific for adult worms or L1 or L3 larvae of A. cantonensis were measured by a radioallergosorbent test (RAST). In the case of adult worms and L1 antigens, specific IgE antibody levels showed large variations in relation to the duration of infection in rats. In contrast to total IgE levels, the specific IgE response to L3 larvae was lower in rats than in guinea pigs in both the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). These results suggest variations in the total vs specific IgE response according to host permissiveness or non-permissiveness to A. cantonensis infection. These results are discussed in the context of the possible participation of IgE antibodies in immune defence.

Detection of anti-CD4 autoantibodies in the sera of HIV-infected patients using recombinant soluble CD4 molecules

The use of purified recombinant soluble CD4 (sT4) allowed the detection of high titers of anti-CD4 immunoglobulins in the sera of three out of 33 HIV-infected patients. Binding of these antibodies to sT4 was first detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and their reactivity in the assay was blocked in a dose-dependent manner by preincubation with sT4. The antibodies could also immunoprecipitate iodinated sT4, but they failed to recognize CD4 expressed on the surface of CD4+ lymphocytes or cell lines. An ELISA which used as an antigen a truncated soluble CD4 molecule containing only the first two amino-terminal domains of the CD4 molecule did not react with these sera in ELISA, nor did it block antibody binding to sT4. Both these human sera and Leu3a, a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) which recognizes an epitope of CD4 close to the HIV binding site, failed to compete with one another for binding to sT4. Because these antibodies did not recognize epitope(s) of the CD4 molecule close to the HIV binding site, they are not likely to be anti-idiotypic antibodies directed against anti-HIV envelope antibodies. The exact location of the recognized epitope(s), as well as the role, if any, of these antibodies in the pathophysiology of HIV infection remains to be determined.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the Fc receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII) on human eosinophils

In order to characterize the Fc receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII) on human eosinophils, we have compared the binding of human IgE myeloma protein to that of a monoclonal antibody (mAb BB10) directed against a common antigenic determinant of the Fc epsilon RII present on eosinophils, platelets and macrophages. Scatchard analysis of the binding to human eosinophils of the BB10 mAb revealed a linear monophasic binding curve, with a binding affinity of 1.17 x 10(7) M-1 and a number of 10(5) binding sites per cell. Biochemical analysis of the human eosinophil Fc epsilon R, performed by immunosorbent chromatography with either BB10 mAb or IgE, showed under nonreducing conditions a major component of 200 kDa. Under reducing conditions, 3 peptide fragments were obtained, with molecular masses of 45-50, 23 and 15 kDa. Finally, comparative analysis suggested that the Fc epsilon RII of human eosinophils and of a human macrophage cell line (U937) are structurally related and differ from the high-affinity Fc epsilon RI present on basophilic granulocytes.

Functional study of a monoclonal antibody to IgE Fc receptor (Fc epsilon R2) of eosinophils, platelets, and macrophages

An IgM mAb (BB10) was produced by immunization of mice with human eosinophils purified according to their abnormal low density ("hypodense" cells), and previously shown to exhibit increased IgE-dependent antiparasite cytotoxicity. This BB10 antibody, selected for positive fluorescence staining of hypodense blood or lung eosinophils and low or negative staining of normodense eosinophils or neutrophils, could strongly inhibit IgE-dependent cytotoxicity of human eosinophils and platelets. The specificity for the IgE Fc receptor was suggested by the high levels of inhibition of IgE rosettes formed by eosinophils after incubation with the purified IgM fraction of BB10, whereas other receptors (Fc gamma R, CR1) were not affected. On the other hand, BB10, able to inhibit rat eosinophil Fc epsilon R, did not react with the IgE Fc receptor on mast cells or basophils. A technique using radioiodinated BB10 allowed us to quantify the specific binding of BB10 to human eosinophils and platelets. Competition experiments revealed a crossinhibition between the binding of BB10 and IgE, suggesting the specificity of BB10 for the IgE binding site of eosinophil, platelet, and monocyte Fc epsilon R. Three proteins having extrapolated Mr of 32,000, 43,000-45,000, and 97,000 were found in the platelet extract eluted from a BB10 or from an IgE immunosorbent column. These findings confirm the similarities between IgE Fc receptors on human eosinophils, platelets, and macrophages, already observed with polyclonal antibodies directed against the B lymphocyte Fc epsilon receptor. They suggest, moreover, that the mAb BB10 can represent a good reagent for further investigations on the structure and the functions of this IgE Fc receptor (Fc epsilon R2).