The anti-Fc gamma RIII mAb 3G8 induces neutrophil activation via a cooperative actin of Fc gamma RIIIb and Fc gamma RIIa.

Human neutrophils express two types of Fc gamma receptors, the transmembrane Fc gamma RIIa and the glycan-phosphatidylinositol-anchored Fc gamma RIIIb, that show synergism in provoking a cellular response. To analyse further the requirements for this synergism to occur we used the monoclonal antibody 3G8, directed against Fc gamma RIII. This antibody is able to induce neutrophil activation, as measured by an increase in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration and homotypic neutrophil aggregation, but only when the Fc part of the antibody is able to interact with Fc gamma RIIa. We observed that binding of the Fab parts of 3G8 mAb to two Fc gamma RIIIb molecules and binding of the Fc part to one Fc gamma RIIa molecule is required, because a bispecific antibody, 2B1, in which only one 3G8 Fab is present, did not induce neutrophil activation. Moreover, engagement of one Fc gamma RIIa molecule and two Fc gamma RIIb molecules on the same cell is instrumental to achieve activation of the mAb 3G8. The activation of neutrophils by the 3G8 antibody represents a further example of synergistic activation of neutrophils via Fc gamma receptors.