17D yellow fever virus infection of P388D1 cells mediated by monoclonal antibodies: properties of the macrophage Fc receptor.

Thirteen IgG monoclonal antibodies to the envelope protein of 17D yellow fever virus (17D YF) were produced. All of the antibodies, whether type-specific to 17D YF or flavivirus cross-reactive, mediated antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of virus growth in P388D1 cells. There was no consistent relationship between ADE titres and the degree or pattern of neutralizing and/or haemagglutination inhibition activity. Monoclonal antibodies of different isotypes were used to investigate further the properties of P388D1 Fc receptors. The effects of trypsin treatment of P388D1 on ADE were similar to those previously described in experiments measuring direct binding of IgG proteins or rosetting of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) by macrophages, demonstrating sensitivity to digestion by trypsin of the Fc receptor for monomeric IgG2a but not for IgG2b. Aggregated myeloma proteins of IgG2a and IgG2b isotypes competed equally well with either IgG2a or IgG2b monoclonal antibodies to 17D YF in inhibition of ADE. However, selective inhibition by the homologous isotype was observed when rosetting by P388D1 of SRBC coated with IgG2a or IgG2b monoclonal antibodies was examined. These results may help to explain apparent discrepancies previously reported between experiments utilizing direct binding of IgG proteins and those using rosetting of antibody-coated SRBC to examine Fc receptor properties and indicate that immune complexes of virus and antibody resemble aggregated immunoglobulins with respect to macrophage Fc receptor function and differ from antibody-coated SRBCs.