Binding and catabolism of aggregated immunoglobulins bearing C3b or iC3b by U937 cells.

Mononuclear cells play an important role in the elimination of immune complexes (IC). In the presence of complement (C) the binding and degradation of IC by mononuclear cells is enhanced at least two-fold. The enhancement of binding is caused by a synergistic interaction of the IC with cellular Fc and complement receptors (R). In the present study we have investigated the contribution of the complement receptors CR1 and CR3 of human monocyte cell line U937 on the complement-mediated binding and degradation of immune complexes and soluble aggregates of IgG (AIgG) bearing C3b or iC3b. It was found that deposition of C3b on AIgG enhanced the binding of AIgG to U937 cells at least two-fold. The C3b-mediated enhancement of binding was abolished by anti-CR1. iC3b-bound to AIgG also enhanced the binding of AIgG to the cells. This binding was only partially reduced by anti-CR3 antibodies, but the combination of anti-CR1 and anti-CR3 fully abolished the iC3b-mediated enhancement of binding. These results suggest that both CR1 and CR3 contribute to the complement-mediated binding and degradation of soluble IC by mononuclear phagocytes.