C-reactive protein binding to FcγRIIa on human monocytes and neutrophils is allele-specific

C-reactive protein (CRP) is involved in host defense, regulation of inflammation, and modulation of autoimmune disease. Although the presence of receptors for CRP on phagocytes has been inferred for years, their identity was determined only recently. Fc gamma RIa, the high-affinity IgG receptor, binds CRP with low affinity, whereas Fc gamma RIIa, the low-affinity IgG receptor, binds CRP with high affinity. Because the single nucleotide polymorphism in Fc gamma RIIA-which encodes histidine or arginine at position 131 - strongly influences IgG2 binding, we determined this polymorphism's effect on CRP binding. CRP bound with high avidity to monocytes and neutrophils from Fc gamma RIIA R-131 homozygotes, and binding was inhibited by the R-specific mAb 41H16. CRP showed decreased binding to cells from Fc gamma RIIA H-131 homozygotes (which bind IgG2 with high affinity). However, IFN-gamma enhanced Fc gamma RI expression by H-131 monocytes and increased CRP binding. Fc gamma RIIa heterozygotes showed intermediate binding. CRP initiated increases in [Ca2+](i) in PMN from R-131, but not from H-131 homozygotes. These data provide direct genetic evidence for Fc gamma RIIa as the functional, high-affinity CRP receptor on leukocytes while emphasizing the reciprocal relationship between IgG and CRP binding avidities. This counterbalance may affect the contribution of Fc gamma RIIA alleles to host defense and autoimmunity.