Differential Role for CD23 Splice Forms in Apical to Basolateral Transcytosis of IgE/Allergen Complexes

The low affinity receptor for IgE (CD23) was recently implicated in the trans-epithelial transport of IgE-allergen complexes from the luminal side of enterocytes in animal models for intestinal allergy. Here, the respective functions of CD23 splice forms, b and bΔ5, in this apical to basolateral transport event have been investigated. First, the new bΔ5 splice form was further characterized, providing evidence that it binds IgE with high affinity, that its expression is induced by sensitization, and that bΔ5, unlike the classical b, undergoes constitutive internalization through clathrin-coated pits. These results suggested that the two CD23 splice forms were likely involved in different transcytotic events. MDCK cell lines expressing either b or bΔ5 were generated to directly test this hypothesis. In both cell lines, CD23 splice forms were localized at the apical membrane as in enterocytes from sensitized mice. Using mouse monoclonal IgE, we obtained evidence showing that bΔ5 mediates the apical to basolateral transport of free IgE, whereas classical b is much more efficient in mediating the transcytosis of IgE/allergen complexes. The present results shed new light on the role of CD23 species in IgE/allergen transepithelial transport and provide a new powerful physiological tool to study apical to basolateral transcytosis, a process which remains poorly characterized.