Cross-linking of Fc gamma receptor to surface immunoglobulin on B cells provides an inhibitory signal that closes the plasma membrane calcium channel.

Stimulation of B lymphocytes by the cross-linking of surface Ig (sIg) with an F(ab')2 antibody fragment leads to the rapid activation of several tyrosine kinases. This gives rise to the activation of phospholipase C gamma (PLC gamma) and the generation of inositol phosphates. These, in turn, lead to a prolonged elevation of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) consisting of a rapid release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and a sustained influx of extracellular Ca2+. In contrast, co-cross-linking sIg to Fc gamma receptor (Fc gamma RII) with intact anti-sIg induces a much more transient increase in [Ca2+]i. Stimulation of the murine B cell lymphoma, A20, with F(ab')2 anti-sIgG leads to the production of high levels of IL-2, while co-cross-linking of sIgG with Fc gamma RII blocks this response. In studies reported here, we show that co-cross-linking of Fc gamma RII with sIg prevents the influx of extracellular Ca2+ without significantly affecting the tyrosine phosphorylation of substrates including PLC gamma 1, PLC gamma 2, and Syk or the mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. In cells that had been previously activated with F(ab')2 anti-IgG, co-cross-linking of sIg to Fc gamma RII rapidly abrogated the influx of extracellular Ca2+ by closing the plasma membrane Ca2+ channel. Additionally, even 2-3 h after stimulation of the cells with F(ab')2 fragment, addition of intact anti-IgG to the cells, or removal of extracellular Ca2+, markedly inhibited (> 90%) IL-2 production. These results indicate that co-cross-linking sIg with Fc gamma RII both prevented the opening of and actively closed the Ca2+ channel, and, through this mechanism, Fc gamma RII was able to control production of IL-2. Overall, since influx of extracellular Ca2+ has been found to be necessary for the proliferation and differentiation of B cells, Fc gamma RII may play a critical role in controlling these responses by regulating the opening of the Ca2+ channel.