Human complement receptor 2 (CR2/CD21) as a receptor for DNA: Implications for its roles in the immune response and the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Human CR2 is a B cell membrane glycoprotein that plays a central role in autoimmunity. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients show reduced CR2 levels, and complete deficiency of CR2 and CR1 promotes the development of anti-DNA antibodies in mouse models of SLE. Here we show that multiple forms of DNA, including bacterial, viral and mammalian DNA, bind to human CR2 with moderately high affinity. Surface plasmon resonance studies showed that methylated DNA bound with high affinity with CR2 at a maximal KD of 6 nM. DNA was bound to the first two domains of CR2 and this binding was blocked by using a specific inhibitory anti-CR2 mAb. DNA immunization in Cr2−/− mice revealed a specific defect in immune responses to bacterial DNA. CR2 can act as a receptor for DNA in the absence of complement C3 fixation to this ligand. These results suggest that CR2 plays a role in the recognition of foreign DNA during host-immune responses. This recognition function of CR2 may be a mechanism that influences the development of autoimmunity to DNA in SLE.

► Human CR2 can act as a receptor for DNA in the absence of complement C3 fixation to this ligand.
► CR2 plays a role in the recognition of foreign DNA during host-immune responses.
► Alterations of this recognition function of CR2 may be an underlying mechanism that helps to regulate self tolerance and development of autoimmunity to DNA in SLE.