Regulation of Fc epsilon receptor 2 (CD23) expression on a human eosinophilic cell line EoL3 and a human monocytic cell line U937 by transforming growth factor beta.

Regulation of low-affinity receptors for IgE (Fc epsilon R2/CD23) on a human eosinophilic cell line EoL3 and a human monocytic cell line U937 was studied using an anti-Fc,R2/CD23 monoclonal antibody H107 by flow cytometry. While platelet-activating factor, interleukin 4, and interferon gamma significantly augmented Fc epsilon R2/CD23 expression on both cell lines, transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) inhibited both the basal level of Fc epsilon R2/CD23 expression and the enhanced Fc epsilon R2/CD23 expression induced by these reagents in dose- and time-dependent manners. However, TGF beta did not significantly suppress the high basal level of Fc epsilon R2/CD23 expression on RPMI 8866 cells. These results suggest that Fc epsilon R2/CD23 expression on EoL3 and U937 cells is regulated by various cytokines and growth factors, and that TGF beta plays an important regulatory role in IgE-mediated immune responses.