Enhancement of the expression of eosinophil IgE receptor (Fc epsilon R2) and its function by platelet-activating factor.

Eosinophils possess low-affinity Fc immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptors (Fc epsilon R2). We have compared platelet-activating factor (PAF) with lyso-PAF, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and histamine for their ability to influence the binding of a native myeloma IgE to normal-density human eosinophils, using flow cytometry and a fluorescein-conjugated anti-IgE polyclonal antibody. Preincubation with PAF gave a dose- and time-dependent increase in IgE binding optimal at 10(-7) M (P less than 0.01) and 30 min respectively. A smaller but significant effect was observed with LTB4 and histamine (optimal at 10(-7) M (P less than 0.01) and 10(-5) M (P less than 0.05) respectively). Diluent alone or lyso-PAF had no effect. These results suggest enhanced expression of Fc epsilon R2 by stimulated eosinophils. Further confirmation of enhancement was obtained using two functional assays, i.e., cytotoxicity and mediator (LTC4) generation. IgE-dependent cytotoxicity against schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni was enhanced by prior incubation of normal eosinophils with PAF (optimal at 10(-7) M), but not lyso-PAF. No LTC4 was detectable following incubation of unstimulated eosinophils with S. mansoni coated with specific IgE. Preincubation of these cells with PAF (10(-7) M) resulted in the generation of 4.4 pmol of LTC4 per 10(6) cells. Our data demonstrate that normal-density eosinophil Fc epsilon R2 expression can be up-regulated in vitro by PAF and LTB4 and that these changes are accompanied by enhanced functional properties.