Multiple interactions of IgG with its core oligosaccharide can modulate recognition by complement and human Fc gamma receptor I and influence the synthesis of its oligosaccharide chains.

Glycosylation at Asn297 within the CH2 domains of IgG is important for recognition by the effector ligands Fc gammaR and C. Protein engineering has been used to replace amino acid residues within the extensive oligosaccharide interaction site that contact the core hexasaccharide (GlcNAc2Man3GlcNAc). Replacement of residues Phe241, Val264, or Asp265, in particular, results in reduced recognition of human chimeric anti-nitroiodophenacetyl IgG3 produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells, by guinea pig C and human C1q. Replacement of residues Val264 or Asp265, in particular, results in reduced superoxide production triggered through human Fc gammaRI expressed on U937 cells. These results suggest that noncovalent interactions of multiple amino acid residues of IgG with oligosaccharide residues that include the primary and secondary GlcNAc are necessary for optimal recognition of IgG by human Fc gammaRI and C1q. Replacement of residues 241, 243, 264, 265, or 301 with alanine in each case resulted in increased galactosylation and sialylation relative to the wild-type oligosaccharide chains. In particular, for the mutant FA243 there was much increased sialylation of its oligosaccharide chains (73%) relative to the wild-type (4%). Thus, even single residue replacements within the oligosaccharide interaction site of the C region can influence galactosylation and sialylation of its oligosaccharide chains. These data suggest a protein engineering route to the production of more homogeneously glycosylated IgG molecules with or without compromised biologic activities.