Affinage

FCRL5

Fc receptor-like protein 5 · UniProt Q96RD9

Length
977 aa
Mass
106.4 kDa
Annotated
2026-06-09
31 papers in source corpus 12 papers cited in narrative 12 extracted findings
Cross-family judge vs UniProt: Affinage preferred faithfulness: 7/7 claims corpus-supported (100%)

Mechanistic narrative

Synthesis pass · prose summary of the discoveries below

FCRL5 (IRTA2/BXMAS1) is a B cell-restricted cell-surface receptor that couples engagement of IgG Fc to bidirectional regulation of B cell receptor (BCR) signaling, and its function spans normal humoral immunity, autoimmunity, and B cell malignancy (PMID:11290337, PMID:23509253). It is a bona fide Fcγ receptor that binds all IgG isotypes (PMID:22491254), engaging Fc through a mode entirely distinct from classical Fcγ receptors—structural work shows it can simultaneously bridge two Fcγ molecules at a 60° angle (D1–D2 binding the first Fcγ, D3 arching over the second), explaining why conventional Fc-silencing mutations fail to abolish binding and enabling uptake of IgG polymers and immune complexes (PMID:41477863, PMID:42079264). Signaling output is binary: through a cytoplasmic ITIM, FCRL5 recruits the phosphatase SHP-1 to inhibit BCR signaling, whereas an intracellular ITAM-like sequence that associates with the Src-family kinase Lyn confers coactivation, with the net effect dependent on B cell subset (PMID:23509253). Physical association with CD21 switches this polarity, converting FCRL5 from a negative to a positive co-receptor and driving rapid recruitment of CD19, active PLCγ2, and BTK upon immune-complex engagement (PMID:30107486). FCRL5 expression is transcriptionally induced by BCR crosslinking (PMID:11453668) and by EBV EBNA2 acting through CBF1 binding sites in the FcRH5 promoter (PMID:16439682). Functionally, FCRL5 ligation can suppress B cell death and promote proliferation and plasma cell differentiation (PMID:38738271), while its dysregulated overexpression breaks B cell anergy and drives systemic autoimmunity (PMID:37841260). The receptor is internalized upon antibody binding, a property exploited by antibody-drug conjugates and anti-FcRH5/CD3 bispecific antibodies that kill myeloma cells via synapse formation and CD45 exclusion (PMID:22807577, PMID:28262555).

Mechanistic history

Synthesis pass · year-by-year structured walk · 9 steps
  1. 2001 Medium

    Established FCRL5 as a B cell-restricted surface receptor with an Fc/inhibitory-receptor-like ectodomain and cytoplasmic ITIMs, and linked its deregulation to B cell tumors, defining the central questions of ligand and signaling polarity.

    Evidence Cloning of 1q21 translocation breakpoints, sequence/domain analysis, and expression profiling in B cell subsets and lines; separate BCR-crosslinking expression study

    PMID:11290337 PMID:11453668

    Open questions at the time
    • No ligand identified at this stage
    • ITIM/ITAM-like signaling function not tested functionally
    • Translocation linkage correlative, not causal
  2. 2006 High

    Defined a viral transcriptional control mechanism for FCRL5, showing EBNA2 induces the gene via CBF1, connecting EBV B cell biology to FcRL5 expression.

    Evidence EBNA2 overexpression in CBF1-deficient and wild-type cells with ChIP of promoter CBF1 sites

    PMID:16439682

    Open questions at the time
    • Does not address consequences of FcRL5 induction for B cell function
    • Physiological (non-viral) transcriptional regulation not defined
  3. 2012 Medium

    Demonstrated FcRL5 is a genuine Fc receptor binding all IgG isotypes, and that antibody binding triggers internalization—answering the long-open ligand question and revealing therapeutic targeting potential.

    Evidence Cellular IgG binding assays with recombinant FcRL5 and blocking mAbs; flow-cytometry internalization plus in vitro/in vivo ADC efficacy

    PMID:22491254 PMID:22807577

    Open questions at the time
    • Structural basis of IgG binding not resolved
    • Binding stoichiometry unknown
    • Signaling outcome of physiological Fc engagement not established
  4. 2013 High

    Resolved the binary signaling logic of FCRL5, showing ITIM-dependent SHP-1 recruitment inhibits BCR signaling while an ITAM-like motif recruiting Lyn confers coactivation, with output dictated by B cell subset.

    Evidence Site-directed mutagenesis of ITIM/ITAM-like motifs with SHP-1/Lyn activity and BCR signaling readouts in MZ vs B1 B cells

    PMID:23509253

    Open questions at the time
    • What governs the inhibitory-vs-activating switch in vivo not defined
    • Co-receptor partners not identified at this stage
  5. 2017 High

    Showed that therapeutic clustering of FcRH5 via a CD3 bispecific drives T cell synapse formation through CD45 exclusion, establishing membrane-proximal epitope requirements for myeloma killing.

    Evidence Synapse imaging, CD45 exclusion assays, killing assays on plasma cells/patient myeloma, and in vivo cynomolgus depletion

    PMID:28262555

    Open questions at the time
    • Concerns therapeutic clustering, not endogenous receptor function
    • Does not address physiological ligand engagement
  6. 2018 Medium

    Identified CD21 as a physical partner that switches FCRL5 from inhibitory to activating, providing the molecular mechanism for context-dependent signaling polarity.

    Evidence Reciprocal Co-IP, calcium flux, and recruitment of CD19/PLCγ2/BTK in B cell lines and primary tonsil B cells

    PMID:30107486

    Open questions at the time
    • Structural basis of CD21 association unknown
    • Whether immune complex serves as the physiological trigger not directly shown
    • Single lab, not reciprocally validated elsewhere
  7. 2023 Medium

    Established that FcRL5 dysregulation has pathological consequences, showing overexpression breaks B cell anergy and enhances TLR signaling to drive systemic autoimmunity.

    Evidence B cell-specific Fcrl5 transgenic mice with anergy and TLR signaling assays in an SLE-like model

    PMID:37841260

    Open questions at the time
    • Overexpression model may not reflect endogenous levels
    • Mechanistic link between FcRL5 and TLR pathway not detailed
    • Mouse FcRL5 differs from human in Fc binding
  8. 2024 Medium

    Demonstrated a pro-survival, pro-differentiation role for FcRL5 ligation, showing it suppresses B cell death and promotes proliferation and plasma cell differentiation to enhance humoral responses.

    Evidence In vitro agonistic anti-Fcrl5 ligation with death/proliferation and plasma-cell differentiation assays, plus antibody responses in Fcrl5-overexpressing mice

    PMID:38738271

    Open questions at the time
    • Relies on agonistic antibody and overexpression rather than endogenous engagement
    • Signaling pathway mediating survival not mapped
  9. 2026 High

    Solved the structural basis of FcRL5–IgG recognition, revealing a non-canonical Fc-binding mode—including a unique dual-Fcγ engagement geometry—that explains resistance to Fc-silencing mutations and enables immune complex uptake.

    Evidence Cryo-EM of dual-Fcγ engagement and species comparison; X-ray crystallography (3.4 Å), native MS, SEC, and cis BCR cross-linking Ca2+ flux assays

    PMID:41477863 PMID:42079264

    Open questions at the time
    • Apparent discrepancy between 1:1 (crystal/MS) and dual-Fcγ (cryo-EM) stoichiometries not reconciled
    • How structural geometry maps to inhibitory vs activating signaling unresolved
    • One report is a preprint

Open questions

Synthesis pass · forward-looking unresolved questions
  • How FcRL5's distinct structural Fc-engagement modes are translated into the inhibitory-versus-activating signaling switch, and what physiological ligand contexts (CD21, immune complexes, subset identity) determine the outcome in vivo, remain to be integrated.
  • No unified model linking Fc-binding geometry to ITIM/ITAM-like output
  • Endogenous physiological trigger in vivo undefined
  • Human vs mouse functional divergence not fully reconciled

Mechanism profile

Synthesis pass · controlled-vocabulary classification · explore literature graph →
Molecular activity
GO:0038024 cargo receptor activity 2 GO:0060089 molecular transducer activity 2 GO:0098772 molecular function regulator activity 2
Localization
GO:0005886 plasma membrane 3 GO:0031410 cytoplasmic vesicle 2
Pathway
R-HSA-168256 Immune System 3 R-HSA-162582 Signal Transduction 2 R-HSA-74160 Gene expression (Transcription) 1
Complex memberships
FCRL5-CD21 receptor complex

Evidence

Reading pass · 12 per-paper findings extracted from the source corpus
Year Finding Method Journal Conf PMIDs
2001 FCRL5 (IRTA2) encodes a novel cell surface receptor with an ectodomain containing Ig-like domains homologous to Fc and inhibitory receptor families, selectively expressed in mature B cells (centrocytes, marginal zone B cells, and immunoblasts); chromosome 1q21 translocations deregulate IRTA2 expression in tumor cell lines. Cloning of chromosomal translocation breakpoints, sequence analysis, expression analysis in B cell lines and tissues Immunity Medium 11290337
2001 FCRL5 (BXMAS1) is a cell surface receptor whose expression is transcriptionally induced by anti-IgM crosslinking in B cells; the predicted protein contains 6 Ig-like BXMAS1 domains and 2 cytoplasmic ITIM motifs, with expression restricted to B cells. Gene expression analysis after BCR crosslinking, sequence/domain analysis, cell line and tissue expression profiling Biochemical and biophysical research communications Low 11453668
2006 Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) markedly induces FcRH5 gene expression in a strictly CBF1-dependent manner; EBNA2 targets CBF1 binding sites in the FcRH5 promoter in vivo, as detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation, and induction does not require other viral proteins or de novo protein synthesis. EBNA2 overexpression in CBF1-deficient and wild-type cells, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of FcRH5 promoter CBF1 binding sites Blood High 16439682
2012 Human FcRL4 and FcRL5 are bona fide Fc receptors: FcRL5 binds all IgG isotypes with varied efficiency, as demonstrated in cellular binding assays; blocking monoclonal antibodies specific for these interactions were generated. Cellular binding assays with recombinant FcRL proteins and immunoglobulins; generation of blocking mAbs Journal of immunology Medium 22491254
2012 FcRL5 is internalized upon antibody binding on multiple myeloma/plasma cell surfaces, enabling effective antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) delivery; unconjugated anti-FcRL5 antibody alone was not efficacious whereas ADC formats were effective in vitro and in vivo. Flow cytometry internalization assay, in vitro cytotoxicity assays, in vivo xenograft mouse models Molecular cancer therapeutics Medium 22807577
2013 FCRL5 exerts inhibitory function on BCR signaling in marginal zone (MZ) B cells by recruiting the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 to a cytoplasmic ITIM; mutagenesis of the SHP-1 docking site revealed a coactivation function orchestrated by independent association of Lyn Src-family kinase with an intracellular ITAM-like sequence. FCRL5 had no influence on BCR signaling in peritoneal B1 B cells, correlating with differential SHP-1 and Lyn activity between MZ and B1 cells. Mutagenesis of ITIM/ITAM-like motifs, BCR signaling assays, SHP-1 and Lyn kinase activity measurements in MZ vs. B1 B cells Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America High 23509253
2017 Anti-FcRH5/CD3 T cell-dependent bispecific antibody (TDB) triggers T cell receptor activation by inducing FcRH5 target clustering and exclusion of CD45 phosphatase from the immune synapse; the membrane-proximal epitope of FcRH5 is required for efficient synapse formation and myeloma cell killing. T cell-target cell synapse imaging, CD45 exclusion assay, killing assays with anti-FcRH5/CD3 TDB in human plasma cells and patient-derived myeloma cells, in vivo cynomolgus monkey depletion studies Cancer cell High 28262555
2018 CD21 and FCRL5 physically associate to form a receptor complex on B cells; triple engagement of FCRL5, CD21, and BCR produces a superior calcium response compared to CD21+BCR co-stimulation alone. FCRL5 inhibits BCR signaling through its ITIMs in the absence of CD21 stimulation, but CD21 co-engagement converts FCRL5 from a negative to a positive co-receptor. Activating signaling molecules CD19, active PLCγ2, and BTK are rapidly recruited to FCRL5 upon engagement. Co-immunoprecipitation, calcium flux assays, signaling molecule recruitment assays in B cell lines and primary tonsil B cells, flow cytometry International immunology Medium 30107486
2023 Upregulation of Fcrl5 in B cells disrupts B cell anergy and causes systemic autoimmunity in mice; Fcrl5 overexpression breaks B cell anergy and facilitates toll-like receptor signaling, demonstrated in B cell-specific Fcrl5 transgenic mice. B cell-specific Fcrl5 transgenic mouse generation, B cell anergy assays, TLR signaling assays, autoimmune disease model (SLE-like) Frontiers in immunology Medium 37841260
2024 Fcrl5 ligation by agonistic antibodies reduces B cell death and enhances proliferation in LPS-stimulated B cells; in the presence of anti-CD40 and IL-5, Fcrl5 ligation suppresses cell death and enhances plasma cell differentiation, thereby promoting humoral immune responses. In vitro B cell culture with agonistic anti-Fcrl5 antibodies, cell death/proliferation assays, plasma cell differentiation assays, T cell-dependent and -independent antibody response assays in Fcrl5-overexpressing mice International immunology Medium 38738271
2026 Human FcRL5 (but not mouse FcRL5) is a bona fide IgGFc (Fcγ) receptor that uniquely requires two Fcγ molecules in close proximity for robust interaction; cryo-EM reveals FcRL5 engages two Fcγ molecules at a 60° angle, with D1-D2 domains binding the first Fcγ and D3 domain arching over the second Fcγ. FcRL5 can internalize IgG polymers and immune complexes. Cryo-electron microscopy, binding assays with IgG immune complexes, internalization assays, species comparison (human vs. mouse FcRL5) Science advances High 41477863
2026 Crystal structure of the FCRL5-IgG1 Fc complex at 3.4 Å reveals a 1:1 binding stoichiometry (confirmed by native mass spectrometry and SEC); FCRL5 binds IgG1 Fc in a manner completely distinct from classical Fcγ receptors, explaining why most Fc-silencing mutations do not disrupt FCRL5 binding. Selective cross-linking of FCRL5 with BCR in cis using Fc-engineered antibodies inhibits Ca2+ flux in FCRL5-expressing B cells. X-ray crystallography (3.4 Å), native mass spectrometry, size exclusion chromatography, directed evolution of FCRL5 variant, Ca2+ flux assay in B cells, comparison with FcγRIIb co-ligation bioRxivpreprint High 42079264

Source papers

Stage 0 corpus · 31 papers · ranked by NIH iCite citations
Year Title Journal Citations PMID
2017 Membrane-Proximal Epitope Facilitates Efficient T Cell Synapse Formation by Anti-FcRH5/CD3 and Is a Requirement for Myeloma Cell Killing. Cancer cell 261 28262555
2001 IRTA1 and IRTA2, novel immunoglobulin superfamily receptors expressed in B cells and involved in chromosome 1q21 abnormalities in B cell malignancy. Immunity 168 11290337
2015 FCRL5 Delineates Functionally Impaired Memory B Cells Associated with Plasmodium falciparum Exposure. PLoS pathogens 126 25993340
2012 Cutting edge: human FcRL4 and FcRL5 are receptors for IgA and IgG. Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) 110 22491254
2019 FCRL5+ Memory B Cells Exhibit Robust Recall Responses. Cell reports 90 31042472
2012 FcRL5 as a target of antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Molecular cancer therapeutics 83 22807577
2006 Elevation of soluble CD307 (IRTA2/FcRH5) protein in the blood and expression on malignant cells of patients with multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and mantle cell lymphoma. Leukemia 56 17051241
2019 Phase I study of the anti-FcRH5 antibody-drug conjugate DFRF4539A in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Blood cancer journal 55 30718503
2013 FCRL5 exerts binary and compartment-specific influence on innate-like B-cell receptor signaling. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 33 23509253
2001 BXMAS1 identifies a cluster of homologous genes differentially expressed in B cells. Biochemical and biophysical research communications 31 11453668
2023 Chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting FcRH5 provide robust tumour-specific responses in murine xenograft models of multiple myeloma. Nature communications 30 37339964
2018 CD21 and FCRL5 form a receptor complex with robust B-cell activating capacity. International immunology 29 30107486
2021 SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific memory B cells express higher levels of T-bet and FcRL5 after non-severe COVID-19 as compared to severe disease. PloS one 25 34936684
2010 Association of Fc receptor-like 5 (FCRL5) with Graves' disease is secondary to the effect of FCRL3. Clinical endocrinology 23 20626413
2024 Fc receptor-like 5 (FCRL5)-directed CAR-T cells exhibit antitumor activity against multiple myeloma. Signal transduction and targeted therapy 21 38212320
2006 Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 2 induces FcRH5 expression through CBF1. Blood 21 16439682
2024 Management of Toxicities Associated with BCMA, GPRC5D, and FcRH5-Targeting Bispecific Antibodies in Multiple Myeloma. Current hematologic malignancy reports 18 39145912
2023 Upregulated Fcrl5 disrupts B cell anergy and causes autoimmune disease. Frontiers in immunology 15 37841260
2018 Single cell-produced and in vitro-assembled anti-FcRH5/CD3 T-cell dependent bispecific antibodies have similar in vitro and in vivo properties. mAbs 15 30550367
2022 B cell overexpression of FCRL5 and PD-1 is associated with low antibody titers in HCV infection. PLoS pathogens 9 34990486
2009 A single-nucleotide polymorphism marker within the FCRL5 gene and HLA-B27 positive Han Chinese ankylosing spondylitis patients. Tissue antigens 9 19775371
2024 Regulation of B-cell function and expression of CD11c, T-bet, and FcRL5 in response to different activation signals. European journal of immunology 8 38700378
2021 Longitudinal analysis of FcRL5 expression and clonal relationships among classical and atypical memory B cells following malaria. Malaria journal 6 34758841
2006 Sandwich ELISAs for soluble immunoglobulin superfamily receptor translocation-associated 2 (IRTA2)/FcRH5 (CD307) proteins in human sera. Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine 6 16681430
2020 The rs6427384 and rs6692977 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the Fc Receptor-Like 5 (FCRL5) Gene and the Risk of Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Case Control Study in a Single Center in China. Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research 5 32892204
2026 Human FcRL5 is an Fc receptor that simultaneously engages two IgGs. Science advances 2 41477863
2024 Humoral responses are enhanced by facilitating B cell viability by Fcrl5 overexpression in B cells. International immunology 1 38738271
2024 Allostimulation leads to emergence of a human B cell population with increased expression of HLA class I antigen presentation-associated molecules and the immunoglobulin receptor FcRL5. American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons 1 38992496
2024 Polymorphisms of B-lymphocyte-associated genes CD20 and FCRL5 are associated with susceptibility to autoimmune thyroid diseases. Human immunology 1 39461276
2026 Structure-Function Analysis of the FCRL5-IgG1 Fc Complex Reveals an Unappreciated Effect of Fc-Silent Antibodies on B cells. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology 0 42079264
2024 Erratum: Upregulated Fcrl5 disrupts B cell anergy and causes autoimmune disease. Frontiers in immunology 0 38259460

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