SOLUBLE FC-GAMMA RECEPTORS

Soluble Fcgamma receptors have been identified in biological fluids of mice and humans. They are produced either by alternative splicing of the exon encoding the transmembmne region of the receptor (FcgammaRII) or by proteolytic cleavage at the cell membrane (FcgammaRII and Fcgam maRIII). They inhibit B cell proliferation and immunoglobulin producti on. Their concentrations in plasma seem to be modified during the deve lopment of certain diseases, as for instance in multiple myeloma, wher e plasma concentrations of soluble FcgammaRIII are correlated with the stage of the disease.