Receptors for IgM on rat spleen cells

Multifunctional IgG/IgM antibodies and cellular cytotoxicity are elicited by the full-length MSP1 SumayaVac-1 malaria vaccine

Radical control of malaria likely requires a vaccine that targets both the asymptomatic liver stages and the disease-causing blood stages of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. While substantial progress has been made towards liver stage vaccines, the development of a blood stage vaccine is lagging behind. We have recently conducted a first-in-human clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the recombinant, full-length merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1FL) formulated with GLA-SE as adjuvant. Here, we show that the vaccine, termed SumayaVac-1, elicited both a humoral and cellular immune response as well as a recall T cell memory. The induced IgG and IgM antibodies were able to stimulate various Fc-mediated effector mechanisms associated with protection against malaria, including phagocytosis, release of reactive oxygen species, production of IFN-γ as well as complement activation and fixation. The multifunctional activity of the humoral immune response remained for at least 6 months after vaccination and was comparable to that of naturally acquired anti-MSP1 antibodies from semi-immune adults from Kenya. We further present evidence of SumayaVac-1 eliciting a recallable cellular cytotoxicity by IFN-γ producing CD8+ T cells. Our study revitalizes MSP1FL as a relevant blood stage vaccine candidate and warrants further evaluation of SumayaVac-1 in a phase II efficacy trial.

Expression of IgA and IgM Fc receptors on murine T lymphocytes

Fc receptors are induced on T cells following activation via the TCR. T cells that express Fc receptors transiently have the ability to use two different cognate systems: the TCR and immunoglobulins bound to the Fc receptors. The studies discussed in this article are focused on the Fc alpha and Fc mu receptors that can be induced on certain subsets of murine T lymphocytes. The article emphasizes the role of the T cell receptor for antigen in the expression of Fc alpha and Fc mu receptors on murine T cells and reviews experimental observations that suggest significant molecular heterogeneity of these Fc receptors. The finding that regulation of expression of Fc alpha receptors and Fc mu receptors on T lymphocytes is linked to cellular activation via the CD3/TCR complex implies that these Fc receptors might mediate important functions in the biology and pathology of T cells.

Fc receptor--more answers, more questions

Fc receptors, belonging to the most important surface structures of a number of cells participating in the immune processes, have been intensely studied during the past decade. The present review summarizes the contemporary knowledge of the specificity and heterogeneity of Fc receptors and of factors influencing their expression, and includes some views on their function. In addition, it mentions their relationship to other cell surface structures, expression of Fc receptors during ontogeny of the organism and in certain diseases. Finally, data concerning the isolation and biochemical characterization of the Fc receptor molecule are presented.

Regulation of Fc mu receptor-mediated functions of resident and provoked peritoneal macrophages

Modifying and/or regulating effects on Fc mu receptor (R) mediated phagocytic and ADCC activity of both resident (r) and provoked (p) peritoneal macrophages (PM) was studied applying drugs affecting the cytoskeleton and cation transport. In addition, the effects of exogenous PGE2 and cyclic nucleotides were also examined. Fc mu-receptors appear to be functionally less significant in provoked PMs than in resident ones since both Fc mu-receptor mediated phagocytosis and ADCC were lower in the formers. The cytoskeletal system is important in the regulation of both Fc mu-receptor-mediated functions. Phagocytosis through Fc mu-receptor is decreased by Cytochalasin B and by Vinblastine treatment, whereas ADCC is enhanced by Cytochalasin B. Extracellular PGE2 and cAMP induced a higher phagocytic activity and suppressed ADCC, whereas cGMP displayed an opposite effect. The sensitivity of Fc mu R-mediated activities to ionophoric and to cytoskeleton-damaging drugs was lower in provoked than in resident PMs. In addition, the regulatory role of PGE2 and of cyclic nucleotides on the same activities was less marked on provoked PMs. In contrast, ouabain inhibits Fc mu R-dependent antigen incorporation and ADCC on provoked PM monolayers only. These findings suggest differing regulatory mechanisms for Fc mu R-mediated functions in provoked PMs as compared with resident ones.