Regulation of Fc gamma receptor expression and phagocytosis of a human monoblast cell line U937. Participation of cAMP and protein kinase C in the effects of IFN-gamma and phorbol ester.

We investigated the positive and negative effects of IFN-gamma, PMA, dibutyryl cAMP (Bt2cAMP), dexamethasone and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on Fc gamma R subtype expression and phagocytosis of a human monoblast cell line, U937. IFN-gamma increased and Bt2cAMP decreased Fc gamma RI expression determined by a mAb 32.2, whereas PMA and Bt2cAMP increased Fc gamma RII expression determined by a mAb IV-3. Phagocytosis was measured microscopically by counting ingested aggregated human IgG- or BSA-treated ox E (Eo'-IgG or Eo'-BSA). IFN-gamma increased the phagocytosis of Eo'-IgG but not that of Eo'-BSA, and PMA increased the phagocytosis of both Eo'-IgG and Eo'-BSA. Bt2cAMP decreased both basal and IFN-gamma- and PMA-augmented phagocytosis of U937 cells. Dexamethasone also inhibited both basal and IFN-gamma-augmented Fc gamma RI expression and PMA-augmented Fc gamma RII expression and phagocytosis, but did not affect IFN-gamma-augmented phagocytosis of Eo'-IgG. The augmentation of phagocytosis of Eo'-IgG by IFN-gamma thus seems to be due mainly to the increased internalizing process rather than to increased Fc gamma RI expression. TGF-beta slightly decreased Fc gamma R expression. In a study of the participation of protein kinase C (PK-C), it was found that H-7, a PK-C inhibitor, did not inhibit either IFN-gamma- or PMA-enhanced Fc gamma RI and Fc gamma RII expression, respectively, and 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol and N-(6-phenylhexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide, both PK-C activators, did not show any apparent increase in Fc gamma R expression and phagocytosis. These results show that Fc gamma RI and Fc gamma RII expression on U937 cells is regulated by different mechanisms and that IFN-gamma and PMA play their roles in Fc gamma R expression and phagocytosis by different pathways. It is possible that cAMP but not PK-C plays an important role in the regulation of Fc gamma R expression and phagocytosis.