FcRn-mediated intestinal absorption of IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes in mice

Background The mechanism(s) responsible for the acquisition of maternal antibody isotypes other than IgG are not fully understood. Objective To define the ability of the neonatal Fc receptor for IgG uptake (FcRn) to mediate intestinal absorption of IgG1 anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes. Methods C57BL/6 allergic ovalbumin (OVA)-immune foster mothers were generated to nurse naive FcRn+/− or FcRn−/− progeny. At the time of weaning, serum levels of OVA-specific antibodies and IgG1 anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes were determined in allergic foster mothers and FcRn+/+, FcRn+/−, or FcRn−/− breastfed offspring. In separate experiments, FcRn+/− or FcRn−/− neonatal mice were gavage fed TNP-specific IgE as IgG1 anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes, IgG1 isotype control and IgE, or IgE alone. Mice were killed 2 h after feeding to determine serum levels and biological activity of absorbed TNP-specific IgE. Results As expected, the absorption of maternal OVA-specific IgG1 in FcRn−/− offspring was at levels 103-104 less than observed in FcRn+/+ or FcRn+/− offspring. Surprisingly, FcRn expression also influenced the absorption of maternal IgE. OVA-specific IgE was detected in FcRn+/+ and FcRn+/−offspring, but not in FcRn−/− offspring. IgG1 anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes were detected in allergic foster mothers and correlated strongly with levels in FcRn+/+ and FcRn+/− offspring (ρ = 0.88, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, FcRn expression was required for neonatal mice to absorb TNP-specific IgE when fed as IgG1 anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes. When immune complexes were generated with IgG1 anti-IgE directed against the Ce4 domain, the absorbed IgE was able to function in antigen-dependent basophil degranulation. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance These data demonstrate a novel mechanism by which FcRn may facilitate absorption of maternal antibodies other than IgG. These findings are clinically relevant because FcRn mediates the transplacental passage of maternal IgG to the fetus. This raises the possibility that FcRn could mediate the transplacental passage of maternal IgE as IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes.