Skip to main content
PMC home page
The Journal of Cell Biology logoLink to The Journal of Cell Biology
. 1987 Sep 1;105(3):1137–1145. doi: 10.1083/jcb.105.3.1137

Aggregation of complement receptors on human neutrophils in the absence of ligand

PMCID: PMC2114803  PMID: 2958480

Abstract

C3bi receptors (CR3) on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) bind ligand-coated particles and promote their ingestion. The binding activity of CR3 is not constitutive but is transiently enabled by phorbol esters (Wright, S. D., and B. D. Meyer, 1986, J. Immunol. 136:1759-1764). Our observations indicate that the capacity of CR3 to bind ligand is tightly correlated with the degree of ligand-independent aggregation of the receptor in the plane of the membrane. Fixed PMN were labeled with anti-CR3 monoclonal antibodies and streptavidin colloidal gold before viewing in the electron microscope either en face or in thin section. On unstimulated PMN, gold particles marking CR3 were dispersed randomly. Stimulation of PMN for 25 min with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) dramatically enhances binding of C3bi-coated particles, and the CR3 on such stimulated cells was observed in clusters containing more than six gold particles. CR3 was not aggregated over coated pits. After 50 min in PMA, the binding activity of CR3 falls, and the distribution of CR3 was again observed to be disperse. If a hydrophilic phorbol ester was washed away after a 20-min stimulation, binding activity remains elevated for at least 50 min, and CR3 remained aggregated. Thus, clustering of CR3 was temporally correlated with its ability to bind ligand and initiate phagocytosis. Unlike CR3, Fc receptors and HLA did not exhibit changes in their aggregation state in response to PMA. Treating PMN with formyl- methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, which enhances expression of CR3 but not its function, did not lead to aggregation of CR3. These observations suggest that a clustered configuration is a precondition necessary for binding ligand and signaling phagocytosis.

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (2.5 MB).

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Ali I. U., Hynes R. O. Effects of cytochalasin B and colchicine on attachment of a major surface protein of fibroblasts. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1977 Nov 15;471(1):16–24. doi: 10.1016/0005-2736(77)90388-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Anderson R. G., Brown M. S., Goldstein J. L. Role of the coated endocytic vesicle in the uptake of receptor-bound low density lipoprotein in human fibroblasts. Cell. 1977 Mar;10(3):351–364. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(77)90022-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Anderson R. G., Goldstein J. L., Brown M. S. Localization of low density lipoprotein receptors on plasma membrane of normal human fibroblasts and their absence in cells from a familial hypercholesterolemia homozygote. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1976 Jul;73(7):2434–2438. doi: 10.1073/pnas.73.7.2434. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Barnstable C. J., Bodmer W. F., Brown G., Galfre G., Milstein C., Williams A. F., Ziegler A. Production of monoclonal antibodies to group A erythrocytes, HLA and other human cell surface antigens-new tools for genetic analysis. Cell. 1978 May;14(1):9–20. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(78)90296-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Berger M., O'Shea J., Cross A. S., Folks T. M., Chused T. M., Brown E. J., Frank M. M. Human neutrophils increase expression of C3bi as well as C3b receptors upon activation. J Clin Invest. 1984 Nov;74(5):1566–1571. doi: 10.1172/JCI111572. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Berman J. W., Basch R. S. Amplification of the biotin-avidin immunmofluorescence technique. J Immunol Methods. 1980;36(3-4):335–338. doi: 10.1016/0022-1759(80)90138-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Castagna M., Takai Y., Kaibuchi K., Sano K., Kikkawa U., Nishizuka Y. Direct activation of calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase by tumor-promoting phorbol esters. J Biol Chem. 1982 Jul 10;257(13):7847–7851. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Conn P. M., Rogers D. C., Seay S. G., Jinnah H., Bates M., Luscher D. Regulation of gonadotropin release, GnRH receptors, and gonadotrope responsiveness: a role for GnRH receptor microaggregation. J Cell Biochem. 1985;27(1):13–21. doi: 10.1002/jcb.240270103. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Conn P. M., Rogers D. C., Stewart J. M., Niedel J., Sheffield T. Conversion of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist to an agonist. Nature. 1982 Apr 15;296(5858):653–655. doi: 10.1038/296653a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. DULBECCO R., VOGT M. Plaque formation and isolation of pure lines with poliomyelitis viruses. J Exp Med. 1954 Feb;99(2):167–182. doi: 10.1084/jem.99.2.167. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. English D., Andersen B. R. Single-step separation of red blood cells. Granulocytes and mononuclear leukocytes on discontinuous density gradients of Ficoll-Hypaque. J Immunol Methods. 1974 Aug;5(3):249–252. doi: 10.1016/0022-1759(74)90109-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Fleit H. B., Wright S. D., Unkeless J. C. Human neutrophil Fc gamma receptor distribution and structure. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1982 May;79(10):3275–3279. doi: 10.1073/pnas.79.10.3275. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Fraker P. J., Speck J. C., Jr Protein and cell membrane iodinations with a sparingly soluble chloroamide, 1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-3a,6a-diphrenylglycoluril. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1978 Feb 28;80(4):849–857. doi: 10.1016/0006-291x(78)91322-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Geiger B., Dutton A. H., Tokuyasu K. T., Singer S. J. Immunoelectron microscope studies of membrane-microfilament interactions: distributions of alpha-actinin, tropomyosin, and vinculin in intestinal epithelial brush border and chicken gizzard smooth muscle cells. J Cell Biol. 1981 Dec;91(3 Pt 1):614–628. doi: 10.1083/jcb.91.3.614. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Haigler H. T., McKanna J. A., Cohen S. Direct visualization of the binding and internalization of a ferritin conjugate of epidermal growth factor in human carcinoma cells A-431. J Cell Biol. 1979 May;81(2):382–395. doi: 10.1083/jcb.81.2.382. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Hirsch J. G., Fedorko M. E. Ultrastructure of human leukocytes after simultaneous fixation with glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide and "postfixation" in uranyl acetate. J Cell Biol. 1968 Sep;38(3):615–627. doi: 10.1083/jcb.38.3.615. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Hopkins C. R. The appearance and internalization of transferrin receptors at the margins of spreading human tumor cells. Cell. 1985 Jan;40(1):199–208. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(85)90323-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Hynes R. O., Destree A. T. Relationships between fibronectin (LETS protein) and actin. Cell. 1978 Nov;15(3):875–886. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(78)90272-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Isersky C., Taurog J. D., Poy G., Metzger H. Triggering of cultured neoplastic mast cells by antibodies to the receptor for IgE. J Immunol. 1978 Aug;121(2):549–558. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Jacobs S., Chang K. J., Cuatrecasas P. Antibodies to purified insulin receptor have insulin-like activity. Science. 1978 Jun 16;200(4347):1283–1284. doi: 10.1126/science.663609. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Kagey-Sobotka A., MacGlashan D. W., Lichtenstein L. M. Role of receptor aggregation in triggering IgE-mediated reactions. Fed Proc. 1982 Jan;41(1):12–16. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Kahn C. R., Baird K. L., Jarrett D. B., Flier J. S. Direct demonstration that receptor crosslinking or aggregation is important in insulin action. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1978 Sep;75(9):4209–4213. doi: 10.1073/pnas.75.9.4209. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Kelleher D. J., Pessin J. E., Ruoho A. E., Johnson G. L. Phorbol ester induces desensitization of adenylate cyclase and phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor in turkey erythrocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1984 Jul;81(14):4316–4320. doi: 10.1073/pnas.81.14.4316. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. King A. C., Cuatrecasas P. Peptide hormone-induced receptor mobility, aggregation, and internalization. N Engl J Med. 1981 Jul 9;305(2):77–88. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198107093050206. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. King A. C., Cuatrecasas P. Resolution of high and low affinity epidermal growth factor receptors. Inhibition of high affinity component by low temperature, cycloheximide, and phorbol esters. J Biol Chem. 1982 Mar 25;257(6):3053–3060. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Kishimoto T. K., O'Connor K., Lee A., Roberts T. M., Springer T. A. Cloning of the beta subunit of the leukocyte adhesion proteins: homology to an extracellular matrix receptor defines a novel supergene family. Cell. 1987 Feb 27;48(4):681–690. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(87)90246-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Law S. K., Gagnon J., Hildreth J. E., Wells C. E., Willis A. C., Wong A. J. The primary structure of the beta-subunit of the cell surface adhesion glycoproteins LFA-1, CR3 and p150,95 and its relationship to the fibronectin receptor. EMBO J. 1987 Apr;6(4):915–919. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1987.tb04838.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Leeb-Lundberg L. M., Cotecchia S., Lomasney J. W., DeBernardis J. F., Lefkowitz R. J., Caron M. G. Phorbol esters promote alpha 1-adrenergic receptor phosphorylation and receptor uncoupling from inositol phospholipid metabolism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1985 Sep;82(17):5651–5655. doi: 10.1073/pnas.82.17.5651. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Mason D. W., Williams A. F. The kinetics of antibody binding to membrane antigens in solution and at the cell surface. Biochem J. 1980 Apr 1;187(1):1–20. doi: 10.1042/bj1870001. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Niedel J. E., Kuhn L. J., Vandenbark G. R. Phorbol diester receptor copurifies with protein kinase C. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1983 Jan;80(1):36–40. doi: 10.1073/pnas.80.1.36. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. O'Shea J. J., Brown E. J., Seligmann B. E., Metcalf J. A., Frank M. M., Gallin J. I. Evidence for distinct intracellular pools of receptors for C3b and C3bi in human neutrophils. J Immunol. 1985 Apr;134(4):2580–2587. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Sanchez-Madrid F., Nagy J. A., Robbins E., Simon P., Springer T. A. A human leukocyte differentiation antigen family with distinct alpha-subunits and a common beta-subunit: the lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA-1), the C3bi complement receptor (OKM1/Mac-1), and the p150,95 molecule. J Exp Med. 1983 Dec 1;158(6):1785–1803. doi: 10.1084/jem.158.6.1785. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Schechter Y., Hernaez L., Schlessinger J., Cuatrecasas P. Local aggregation of hormone-receptor complexes is required for activation by epidermal growth factor. Nature. 1979 Apr 26;278(5707):835–838. doi: 10.1038/278835a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Schlessinger J. Allosteric regulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase. J Cell Biol. 1986 Dec;103(6 Pt 1):2067–2072. doi: 10.1083/jcb.103.6.2067. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Schreiber A. B., Libermann T. A., Lax I., Yarden Y., Schlessinger J. Biological role of epidermal growth factor-receptor clustering. Investigation with monoclonal anti-receptor antibodies. J Biol Chem. 1983 Jan 25;258(2):846–853. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Segal D. M., Taurog J. D., Metzger H. Dimeric immunoglobulin E serves as a unit signal for mast cell degranulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1977 Jul;74(7):2993–2997. doi: 10.1073/pnas.74.7.2993. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Slot J. W., Geuze H. J. A new method of preparing gold probes for multiple-labeling cytochemistry. Eur J Cell Biol. 1985 Jul;38(1):87–93. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Steinman R. M., Cohn Z. A. The interaction of soluble horseradish peroxidase with mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro. J Cell Biol. 1972 Oct;55(1):186–204. doi: 10.1083/jcb.55.1.186. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Sullivan S. J., Daukas G., Zigmond S. H. Asymmetric distribution of the chemotactic peptide receptor on polymorphonuclear leukocytes. J Cell Biol. 1984 Oct;99(4 Pt 1):1461–1467. doi: 10.1083/jcb.99.4.1461. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Thomopoulos P., Testa U., Gourdin M. F., Hervy C., Titeux M., Vainchenker W. Inhibition of insulin receptor binding by phorbol esters. Eur J Biochem. 1982 Dec 15;129(2):389–393. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1982.tb07062.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Todd R. F., 3rd, Arnaout M. A., Rosin R. E., Crowley C. A., Peters W. A., Babior B. M. Subcellular localization of the large subunit of Mo1 (Mo1 alpha; formerly gp 110), a surface glycoprotein associated with neutrophil adhesion. J Clin Invest. 1984 Oct;74(4):1280–1290. doi: 10.1172/JCI111538. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Wright S. D., Griffin F. M., Jr Activation of phagocytic cells' C3 receptors for phagocytosis. J Leukoc Biol. 1985 Aug;38(2):327–339. doi: 10.1002/jlb.38.2.327. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Wright S. D., Meyer B. C. Phorbol esters cause sequential activation and deactivation of complement receptors on polymorphonuclear leukocytes. J Immunol. 1986 Mar 1;136(5):1759–1764. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Wright S. D., Rao P. E., Van Voorhis W. C., Craigmyle L. S., Iida K., Talle M. A., Westberg E. F., Goldstein G., Silverstein S. C. Identification of the C3bi receptor of human monocytes and macrophages by using monoclonal antibodies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1983 Sep;80(18):5699–5703. doi: 10.1073/pnas.80.18.5699. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Wright S. D., Reddy P. A., Jong M. T., Erickson B. W. C3bi receptor (complement receptor type 3) recognizes a region of complement protein C3 containing the sequence Arg-Gly-Asp. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1987 Apr;84(7):1965–1968. doi: 10.1073/pnas.84.7.1965. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Wright S. D., Silverstein S. C. Tumor-promoting phorbol esters stimulate C3b and C3b' receptor-mediated phagocytosis in cultured human monocytes. J Exp Med. 1982 Oct 1;156(4):1149–1164. doi: 10.1084/jem.156.4.1149. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from The Journal of Cell Biology are provided here courtesy of The Rockefeller University Press

RESOURCES