IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma have different regulatory effects on IL-4-induced membrane expression of Fc epsilon RIIb and release of soluble Fc epsilon RIIb by human monocytes.

We used highly purified human monocytes to study the regulation of cell surface and secretion of the low affinity FcR for IgE (Fc epsilon RIIb). IL-4 induces Fc epsilon RIIb expression and soluble Fc epsilon RIIb release in a dose-dependent manner. Significant levels of Fc epsilon RIIb expression were obtained after 12 h of incubation with IL-4 and maximal expression was observed between 24 to 48 h after which the expression declined. Surface expression was followed by secretion of soluble Fc epsilon RIIb which reached maximal levels after 3 to 4 days of incubation and which remained constant throughout 7 days of culture. Induction of Fc epsilon RIIb expression by IL-4 was completely blocked by anti-IL-4 antibodies. Furthermore, IL-1 alpha, IL-2, IL-5, granulocyte-macrophage-CSF, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, low m.w. BCGF and also LPS all failed to induce Fc epsilon RIIb expression, demonstrating the specificity of the induction. Fc epsilon RIIb membrane expression induced by IL-4 was reduced in the presence of IFN-gamma and IFN-alpha. Strong inhibition of IL-4-induced Fc epsilon RIIb expression was observed at IFN-alpha concentrations of 450 U/ml (80%), and 100 U/ml of IFN-gamma reduced IL-4-induced Fc epsilon RIIb expression by 70%. Interestingly, soluble Fc epsilon RIIb release was strongly inhibited by IFN-alpha. In contrast, IFN-gamma did not affect soluble Fc epsilon RIIb release, suggesting that reduced membrane expression of Fc epsilon RIIb observed in the presence of IFN-gamma does not reflect inhibition of Fc epsilon RIIb expression but may represent enhanced cleavage or reduced anchoring in the membrane of Fc epsilon RIIb. Finally, IL-5 that has been shown to enhance IL-4-induced Fc epsilon RII on B cells does not enhance significantly IL-4-induced Fc epsilon RIIb membrane expression or subsequent soluble Fc epsilon RIIb release by monocytes. Taken together these results show that IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma have different regulatory effects on IL-4-induced Fc epsilon RIIb membrane expression and soluble Fc epsilon RIIb release by human monocytes.