Identification of TOSO/FAIM3 as an Fc receptor for IgM

Fc receptors specifically bind to the Fc region of Igs to mediate the unique functions to each class of Igs. To identify a novel Fc receptor for IgM, we searched expressed sequence tag database for molecules containing Ig domains with homology to those of known Fc receptors for IgM, Fca/μR and polymeric Ig receptor. As a result, we identified TOSO/Fas apoptotic inhibitory molecule 3 (FAIM3) as a possible Fc receptor for IgM. HeLa cells transfected with a TOSO/FAIM3-expression vector bound to IgM but not IgG and were able to internalize IgM-conjugated beads but not IgG-conjugated beads, suggesting that TOSO/FAIM3 is indeed a receptor for IgM (FcμR). FcmR protein was expressed predominantly on B-lineage cells; expression of the Fcmr transcripts was observed from the pre-β-cell stage and maintained thereafter during B-cell development. These results identify TOSO/FAIM3 as a receptor for IgM and suggest that FcμR may serve as an uptake receptor for IgM-opsonized antigens by B cells.