Fc gamma receptor-mediated activation of phospholipase D regulates macrophage phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized particles.

Receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (Fc gamma Rs) integrate the innate and acquired components of immunity by coupling the specific recognition of IgG Abs to the activation of phagocytic leukocytes. Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that regulate phagocyte stimulation by Fc gamma Rs may permit therapeutic modulation to augment immunoprotective aspects and minimize damage to host tissues in diverse inflammatory diseases. Since phospholipase D (PLD) has been linked to the stimulation of cytotoxic leukocyte responses, we characterized Fc gamma R-dependent activation of PLD in human macrophages. IgG-coated SRBCs (EIgG) stimulated a 9.4-fold increase in PLD activity compared with SRBCs treated with control Ab (p < 0. 001), determined by formation of the PLD-specific product phosphatidylethanol in the presence of 0.5% ethanol. Levels of phosphatidic acid, the physiologic product of PLD-mediated catalysis, were significantly increased in the absence of ethanol (6.4-fold, p < 0.001). PLD activity was also stimulated by immune complex-coated latex beads or cross-linking of Abs specific for Fc gamma RI, Fc gamma RII, or Fc gamma RIII. Phagocytosis of EIgG was reduced by two inhibitors of PLD-mediated signaling, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate or 1-butanol. Addition of purified PLD restored control levels of phagocytosis in cells in which endogenous PLD was inhibited. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and herbimycin A caused concordant reductions in Fc gamma R-stimulated PLD activity and phagocytosis. These studies demonstrate that Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis is accompanied by tyrosine kinase-dependent activation of PLD and support the hypothesis that stimulation of PLD functions to regulate the ingestion of IgG-opsonized particles.