The Ligand-binding Domain of CD22 Is Needed for Inhibition of the B Cell Receptor Signal, as Demonstrated by a Novel Human CD22-specific Inhibitor Compound

CD22 is a B cell–specific transmembrane protein of the Siglec family. It binds specifically to α2,6-linked sialic acid (Sia) residues, which are also present on glycoproteins on the B cell surface. CD22 acts as a negative regulator in B cell receptor–mediated signaling by recruitment of Src homology 2 domain–containing tyrosine phosphatase (SHP)-1 to its intracellular tail. To analyze how ligand-binding of CD22 influences its intracellular signaling domain, we designed synthetic sialosides as inhibitors for the lectin domain of CD22. One of these compounds inhibited binding of human CD22-Fc to target cells over 200-fold better than Sia and was highly selective for human CD22. When Daudi cells or primary B cells were stimulated with anti-immunoglobulin (Ig)M in presence of this sialoside inhibitor, a higher Ca²⁺ response was observed, similar to CD22-deficient B cells. Accordingly, a lower tyrosine-phosphorylation of CD22 and SHP-1 recruitment was demonstrated in presence of the sialoside. Thus, by interfering with ligand binding of CD22 on the B cell surface, we have shown for the first time that the lectin domain of CD22 has a direct, positive influence on its intracellular inhibitory domain. Also, we have developed a novel low molecular weight compound which can enhance the response of human B cells.