There are two major forms of FCGR2B existing and they are created by mRNA splicing mechanism, which results in the inclusion or exclusion of the C1 exon sequence. The presence of the C1 exon sequence results in tethering to the membrane of B cells, whereas its absence allows fast internalization of the receptor in myeloid cells. Both forms contain the Immunoreceptor Tyrosine-based Inhibitory Motif in their cytoplasmic regions. The extracellular domains are 95% identical to the domains of FCGR2A and almost completely identical to the FCGR2C.
Expression
FCGR2B1 is highly expressed by B cells, and its mRNA has also been identified at lower levels on monocytes. FCGR2B2 is highly expressed on basophils and at low levels on monocytes. Cytokine regulation of the expression is positive in the case of IL-10 and IL-6 and negative in the case of TNF-α, C5a and IFN-γ.
Function
The receptor inhibits the functions of activating FcγRs, such as phagocytosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine release, mainly by clustering of FCGR2B with different activating FCGR receptors or with the BCR by immune complexes. The phosphorylated ITIM of FcγRIIB recruits the inositol phosphatases SHIP1 and SHIP2, which inhibit the Ras activation, downregulate MAPK activity and reduce PLCγ function and lead to decreased activation of PKC. Inhibition of the MAP kinase pathway, together with the anti-apoptotic kinase Akt can negatively affect proliferation and survival of the cells. FCGR2B regulates B cell activation by increasing the BCR activation threshold and suppressing B cell mediated antigen presentation to T cells through the ITIM-dependent inhibitory mechanism. Ligation of FCGR2B on B cells downregulates antibody production, prevents the membrane organization of BCR and CD19 and promotes apoptosis. Co-ligation of FCGR2B on dendritic cells inhibits maturation and blocks cell activation. The negative regulatory role of the FCGRIIB molecule is not limited to BCR-induced B-cell activation, but is also functional on other B-cell activation pathways mediated by CD40 and IL-4. FCGR2B expression on follicular dendritic cells is important for capturing the antigen-containing immune complexes which are essential for the germinal centre response. FCGR2B is present on non-leukocyte cells including airway smooth muscle and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, where small immune complexes are internalized inhibiting the pro-inflammatory signalling.
