Role of FCγRIIA Gene Polymorphism in Human Platelet Activation by Monoclonal Antibodies

The aim of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between the activity of a MoAb as an agonist and its ability to bind to the Fc platelet receptor, FCγRIIa. A polymorphism at amino acid 131 [arginine (Arg) or histidine (His)] of FCγRIIa was first shown to be determinant for MoAb-IgG 1 binding on monocytes. To clarify the role of this polymorphism in platelet activation by MoAb-IgG 1 we (i) established the FcγRIIA polymorphism at the gene level by adapting the denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis method, (ii) analyzed the binding affinity of the MoAbs to FCγRIIa on platelets from homozygous Arg, homozygous His, and heterozygous Arg/His donors, and (iii) characterized the different reactivities of platelets according to the FcγRIIA polymorphism. Among 167 caucasian donors we found 46% heterozygous Arg/His, 36% homozygous His and 18% homozygous Arg. ALB6, an anti CD9, P256 an anti GPIIb-IIIa, and AP3 an anti-GPIIIa were chosen according to their ability (ALB6, P256) or not (AP3) to activate platelets. These 3 MoAbs-IgG 1 bind to FCγRIIa with a stronger affinity for the Arg-form of FCγRIIa, a result which was confirmed with the use of diverse MoAbs directed against various antigens. The different abilities of MoAbs to bind to the two FCγRIIa forms were well correlated to the different platelet responses induced by ALB6 and P256. However, low concentrations of ALB6, which allow full activation of platelets from homozygous Arg donors, as did P256, did not induce any activation of platelets from homozygous His donors, whereas P256 is able to induce a low aggregation. The results further define the respective roles of the antigen and the Fc receptor, depending on the MoAb, and the role of the FcγRIIa polymorphism in platelet activation induced by MoAbs. In addition, the results obtained with MoAbs unable to induce platelet activation provide evidence that the binding of a MoAb on FcγRIIa does not predict its ability to activate platelets.