Investigation of the interaction between the class I MHC-related Fc receptor and its immunoglobulin G ligand

Expression of the neonatal Fc receptor, FcRn, on human intestinal epithelial cells

Maternal IgG is transferred to the suckling mouse and rat through a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related Fc receptor (FcRn) on the brush border of the proximal small intestine. We have previously described a site on the epithelial surface of the human fetal intestine with IgG binding characteristics similar to FcRn. We report here the identification by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of the human orthologue of rat and mouse FcRn in tissue obtained from human fetal and adult intestine. FcRn protein was detected in adult human intestine by western blot. Immunohistochemical studies of sections of human intestine show that the FcRn is localized mostly to the epithelial cells, where it is in the apical region. These data suggest that the binding of IgG previously seen in the fetal intestine is due to the presence of FcRn. Potential roles for this MHC class I-like Fc receptor in the human intestine include the transfer of passive immunity, induction of oral tolerance, and immunosurveillance.

Biochemical characterization and crystalization of human Zn-alpha2-glycoprotein, a soluble class I major histocompatibility complex homolog

Zn-alpha2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is a 41-kDa soluble protein that is present in most bodily fluids. In addition, ZAG accumulates in fluids from breast cysts and in 40% of breast carcinomas, which suggests that ZAG plays a role in the development of breast diseases. However, the function of ZAG under physiological and cancerous conditions remains unknown. Because ZAG shares 30-40% sequence identity with the heavy chains of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins, we compared the biochemical properties of ZAG with those of classical class I MHC molecules. We purified human ZAG from breast cyst fluid and serum and produced a panel of anti-ZAG monoclonal antibodies. Binding assays and acid elution experiments revealed that, in contrast to class I MHC proteins, ZAG does not bind peptides or the class I light chain, beta2-microglobulin (beta2m). Nevertheless, CD studies indicated that ZAG is thermally stable in the absence of bound peptide or associated beta2m, as opposed to class I MHC molecules, which require the presence of both beta2m and peptides for stability. These data indicate that the function of ZAG has diverged from the peptide presentation and T-cell interaction functions of class I molecules. To gain insight into the function of ZAG and to compare the three-dimensional structures of ZAG and class I MHC molecules, we produced ZAG crystals that diffract beyond 2.7 A and have initiated an x-ray structure determination.

Finally! The Brambell receptor (FcRB). Mediator of transmission of immunity and protection from catabolism for IgG

F. W. Rogers Brambell was the father of the field of transmission of immunity, which he entered 50 years before the present era. As part of his quantitative and temporal studies on transmission, he defined the first Fc receptor system for IgG, and furthermore recognized the link between transmission of passive immunity from mother to young and protection from catabolism for IgG. This article provides a historical overview of the efforts of Professor Brambell and summarizes the subsequent elaboration of the details of the physiology and molecular biology of this remarkable receptor system.

Increased clearance of IgG in mice that lack beta 2-microglobulin: possible protective role of FcRn

The mechanisms that regulate immunoglobulin G (IgG) catabolism are little understood. We have previously found unusually low IgG concentrations in sera of mice homozygous for a targeted disruption of the beta 2-microglobulin gene. We therefore investigated whether this might result, at least in part, from increased clearance of IgG from the systemic circulation in mice lacking beta 2-microglobulin. We compared the half-lives of radiolabelled mouse IgG1 injected intravenously into beta 2-microglobulin-/- mice and wild-type or heterozygous siblings. The clearance of 125I-labelled IgG1 was strikingly more rapid in the mice lacking beta 2-microglobulin. beta 2-microglobulin-/- mice lack functional molecules of the MHC class I-related Fc receptor, FcRn. Some mutations in mouse IgG1 that increase its clearance have recently been shown to prevent binding to FcRn in the gut. To determine whether the slower degradation of immunoglobulin in mice with beta 2-microglobulin correlated with the ability of the antibody to bind FcRn, we measured the clearance of chicken IgY, which does not bind this receptor. The 125I-labelled IgY was catabolized equally rapidly in beta 2-microglobulin-deficient and wild-type mice. We compared the half-lives of the four subclasses of mouse IgG in beta 2-microglobulin-/-, +/-, and +/+ mice to determine whether the difference we had noted for IgG1 was peculiar to this subclass. The 125I-labelled IgG of all subclasses, with the possible exception of IgG2b. was degraded more rapidly in the beta 2-microglobulin-deficient mice than in heterozygous or wild-type siblings. These data suggest that FcRn can protect IgG from degradation, and is therefore important in maintaining IgG levels in the circulation.

Fc receptors and their interactions with immunoglobulins

Receptors for the Fc domain of immunoglobulins play an important role in immune defense. There are two well-defined functional classes of mammalian receptors. One class of receptors transports immunoglobulins across epithelial tissues to their main sites of action. This class includes the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), which transports immunoglobulin G (IgG), and the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR), which transports immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM). Another class of receptors present on the surfaces of effector cells triggers various biological responses upon binding antibody-antigen complexes. Of these, the IgG receptors (Fc gamma R) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptors (Fc epsilon R) are the best characterized. The biological responses elicited include antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity, phagocytosis, release of inflammatory mediators, and regulation of lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation. We summarize the current knowledge of the structures and functions of FcRn, pIgR, and the Fc gamma R and Fc epsilon RI proteins, concentrating on the interactions of the extracellular portions of these receptors with immunoglobulins.

Human placental Fc gamma-binding proteins in the maternofetal transfer of IgG

Annexin II, a member of the annexin family of Ca2+ and phospholipid binding proteins, is present in human placenta. Placental annexin II has low affinity FcR activity, and is present as a heterotetramere on syncytiotrophoblast apical cell membrane extracellular surface. In addition to annexin II, transmembraneous leukocyte FcRIII is present on syncytiotrophoblast apical membrane. Either one, or both molecules may mediate the binding of IgG and thereby facilitate its transport through the syncytiotrophoblast layer. However, the presence of other maternal plasma proteins in syncytiotrophoblasts that are not transported to the human fetus is suggestive of nonspecific fluid phase endocytosis. The MHC class I like FcR, similar to the receptor found in neonatal rodent intestine, FcRn, is present intracellularly in human syncytiotrophoblasts, as is its light chain beta 2-microglobulin. The hFcRn is not detected on the apical plasma membrane. The placental hFcRn co-localizes with IgG in syncytiotrophoblast granules. It is likely that hFcRn binds and transcytoses IgG through the syncytiotrophoblast. Protected transfer of IgG may occur within syncytiotrophoblast endocytotic vesicles prior to release in the villous stroma and subsequent translocation into the lumen of fetal stem vessels by uptake and transport in endothelial caveolae.

Co-localization of the neonatal Fc gamma receptor and IgG in human placental term syncytiotrophoblasts

Transfer of maternal IgG through the human placenta furnishes the newborn with passive immunity to a number of infectious agents. The exact mechanism of this transfer is still unknown, but it is agreed that it involves active receptor-mediated transport. The neonatal Fc receptor is a major histocompatibility complex class I-like receptor originally identified in the intestines of newborn rodents. A similar receptor has recently been detected in human placental syncytiotrophoblasts. Using multilabeling fluorescence immunohistochemistry and confocal laser scanning microscopy, we found that the neonatal Fc receptor co-localizes with IgG and beta 2-microglobulin in granules of human placental syncytiotrophoblast. The Fc receptor is not detected on syncytiotrophoblast apical plasma membrane. Localization to the outermost cellular barrier between the fetal and maternal blood further strengthens the role of the Fc receptor in transplacental transport of IgG.

The stoichiometry and affinity of the interaction of murine Fc fragments with the MHC class I-related receptor, FcRn

The binding of recombinant wild type and mutant Fc-hinge fragments to soluble, FcRn expressed in insect cells has been analysed. The mutant Fc-hinge fragments are derived from murine IgG1 with mutation of residues located at the CH2-CH3 domain interface (Ile253, His31O, Gln311, His433 and Asn434; EU numbering). These mutant Fc-hinge fragments have previously been shown to be deficient in neonatal transcytosis in suckling mice and also have abnormally short serum half lives. The mutated residues are highly conserved in human and rodent gammaglobulins (IgGs) and are also involved in binding to staphylococcal protein A. This study demonstrates that the Fc mutants have lower binding affinities for recombinant FcRn and mutations in the CH2 domain have a greater effect than those in the CH3 domain. There is an excellent correlation between affinity and transcytosis or the control of catabolism, and this provides further evidence in support of the close overlap of the sites of IgG/Fc involved in these processes. The stoichiometry of the FcRn:Fc interaction has also been investigated and has been found to be 1:1, indicating that binding of FcRn to one CH2-CH3 domain interface site precludes an FcRn:Fc interaction at the second site.

Effects of receptor dimerization on the interaction between the class I major histocompatibility complex-related Fc receptor and IgG

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) transports maternal IgG from ingested milk in the gut to the bloodstream of newborn mammals. An FcRn dimer was observed in crystals of the receptor alone and of an FcRn-Fc complex, but its biological relevance was unknown. Here we use surface plasmon resonance-based biosensor assays to assess the role of FcRn dimerization in IgG binding. We find high-affinity IgG binding when FcRn is immobilized on a biosensor chip in an orientation facilitating dimerization but not when its orientation disrupts dimerization. This result supports a model in which IgG-induced dimerization of FcRn is relevant for signaling the cell to initiate endocytosis of the IgG-FcRn complex.

Surface plasmon resonance and its use in biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA)

Since the advent of surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based interaction analysis techniques in 1990 the field has grown rapidly. So far, more than 220 publications and hundreds of laboratories have reported useful applications for this label-free real-time binding approach. Milestones passed during the past year include the direct detection of low molecular mass (200 Da) binding events and applications in several new fields as disparate as chaperonins, cellular adhesion, molecular biology, transcription and small-molecule screening.

Evidence that the hinge region plays a role in maintaining serum levels of the murine IgG1 molecule

The site of the murine IgG1 molecule that regulates catabolism has recently been shown to encompass amino acids that are located at the CH2-CH3 domain interface. The CH2 and CH3 domains are connected to each other by a relatively flexible "mini-hinge" region, and flexibility in this region could clearly affect the orientation of the domains with respect to each other. The internal movement of the CH2 domain depends on the absence/presence of the hinge disulphide. The increased mobility of the CH2 domain relative to the CH3 domain in a hinge less IgG or Fc fragment may result in a conformational change at the CH2-CH3 domain interface and alter the accessibility of the residues that are involved in catabolism control. To investigate this possibility, four Fc fragments which differ in the presence/absence of hinge disulphides and hinge sequences have been analysed in both in vivo pharmacokinetic studies and in vitro by limited proteolysis with pepsin. The data show that the presence of hinge disulphide(s) in the Fc fragment results in a longer intravascular half life but a higher susceptibility to pepsin attack. This, taken together with the knowledge that pepsin cleaves close to the CH2-CH3 domain interface, suggests that the longer half life of disulphide linked Fc fragments relative to unlinked fragments may be due to conformational differences in this region of the IgG molecule, and these conformational changes may affect the accessibility of the catabolic site for binding to putative protective Fc receptors.

Crystal structure at 2.2 A resolution of the MHC-related neonatal Fc receptor

The three-dimensional structure of the rat neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is similar to the structure of molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The counterpart of the MHC peptide-binding site is closed in FcRn, making the FcRn groove incapable of binding peptides. A dimer of FcRn heterodimers seen in the crystals may represent a receptor dimer that forms when the Fc portion of a single immunoglobulin binds. An alternative use of the MHC fold for immune recognition is indicated by the FcRn and FcRn/Fc co-crystal structures.

Crystal structure of the complex of rat neonatal Fc receptor with Fc

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) transports maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) to the bloodstream of the newborn. FcRn is structurally similar to class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, despite differences in the ligands they bind (the Fc portion of IgG and antigenic peptides, respectively). A low-resolution crystal structure of the complex between FcRn and Fc localizes the binding site for Fc to the side of FcRn, distinct from the tops of the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains which serve as the peptide and T-cell receptor binding sites in class I molecules. FcRn binds to Fc at the interface between the Fc CH2 and CH3 domains, which contains several histidine residues that could account for the sharply pH-dependent FcRn/IgG interaction. A dimer of FcRn heterodimers observed in the co-crystals and in the crystals of FcRn alone could be involved in binding Fc, correlating with the 2:1 binding stoichiometry between FcRn and IgG (ref. 4) and suggesting an unusual orientation of FcRn on the membrane.