Activation of monocytic cells through Fc gamma receptors induces the expression of macrophage-inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 alpha, MIP-1 beta, and RANTES.

Monocytic cells were stimulated with IgG-OVA equivalence immune complexes, mAb reacting with FcgammaRI, FcgammaRIIA, and FcgammaRIII, LPS, TNF-alpha, and the combination of ionomycin and phorbol ester, to address their effects on the expression of the mRNAs encoding for chemokines. Stimulation of monocytes with immune complexes induced a rapid expression of macrophage-inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and IL-8 mRNAs. In contrast, RANTES mRNA was already detectable in resting cells and only increased after 16 h of stimulation. A similar pattern was observed following homotypic stimulation of FcgammaR with mAb reacting with FcgammaRI and FcgammaRIIA, but not with a mAb reacting with FcgammaRIII, a subtype of receptor not expressed in THP-1 cells, thus indicating that both FcgammaRI and FcgammaRIIA are involved in the response. The pattern of chemokine induction elicited by LPS and the combination of ionomycin and PMA showed some similarities to those produced by FcgammaR cross-linking, although expression of IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10 mRNA was also observed in response to those agonists. The production of MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES proteins encompassing the induction of their mRNAs was confirmed by specific ELISA. Experiments to address the transcription factors involved in the regulation of MIP-1alpha using pharmacological agents and EMSA showed the possible involvement of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta sites and ruled out the functional significance of both NF-AT and AP-1 sites.