SLP-76 Regulates Fc[gamma] Receptor and Integrin Signaling in Neutrophils

While the contribution of intracellular adaptor proteins to lymphocyte activation has been well studied, the function of these molecules in innate immune effector cells such as neutrophils has not been extensively addressed. Here we demonstrate a critical role for the adaptor molecule SH2 domain-containing leukoctye-specific phosphoprotein of 76 kDa (SLP-76) in FcγR and integrin signaling. Stimulation of these receptors induces tyrosine phosphorylation and cytoplasmic relocalization of SLP-76 in freshly isolated murine neutrophils. Neutrophils lacking SLP-76 demonstrate decreased FcγR-induced calcium flux and reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI) production in response to immune complex stimulation. More dramatically, SLP-76-/-neutrophils fail to produce ROI, spread, or activate critical downstream regulators in response to integrin ligation. These results provide genetic evidence for a critical role of SLP-76 in the regulation of neutrophil function.