Characterization of FcεRIγ in human natural killer cells

Abstract
We report the characterization of the FcεRIγ chain which associates with the transmembrane form of CD16 to form the low affinity receptor for IgG (FcγRIII) expressed on human natural killer (NK) cells. cDNA cloning and sequence analysis of FcεRlγ from a polyclonal CD3CD16+ NK line established that this molecule is identical to FcεRlγ previously identified in human basophiis as part of a high affinity receptor for IgE. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of FcεRIγ gene expression in a series of CD3+CD16 and CD3CD16+ NK clones reveals that FcεRIγ is not directly linked to NK activity since clones of the CD3+CD16 phenotype lack FcεRIγ RNA but nevertheless mediate cytotoxlclty. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the FcεRIγ molecule is expressed in various types within the hematopoietic system as part of muitimeric surface receptors involved in different biological functions.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: