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Updated: May 11, 2026

Stability and Structure of Bat Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I with Heterologous β2-Microglobulin
Published on: March 10, 2021
CD163 binding to haptoglobin-hemoglobin complexes involves a dual-point electrostatic receptor-ligand pairing.
Marianne Jensby Nielsen1, Christian Brix Folsted Andersen, Søren Kragh Moestrup
1Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
The haptoglobin (Hp)-hemoglobin (Hb) complex binds to the CD163 receptor. Acidic amino acids in CD163 domains 2 and 3, and basic residues in Hp, are crucial for this high-affinity binding.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Haptoglobin (Hp)-hemoglobin (Hb) complex recognized by macrophage receptor CD163.
- Hp-Hb dissociates from CD163 under endosomal conditions (pH <6.5).
- CD163 ligand binding site involves scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domain 3.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of acidic amino acid triads in CD163 SRCR domains 2 and 3.
- Identify essential residues in Hp for high-affinity binding to CD163.
- Elucidate the molecular mechanism of Hp-Hb binding to CD163.
Main Methods:
- Site-directed mutagenesis of CD163 SRCR domains 2 and 3.
- Analysis of recombinant CD163 binding to Hp-Hb.
- Identification of essential residues in the Hp ligand.
Main Results:
- Mutagenesis of acidic triads in CD163 SRCR domains 2 and 3 abrogated high-affinity binding.
- Hp residues Arg-252 and Lys-262 are essential for CD163 binding.
- A two-point electrostatic pairing mechanism was proposed.
Conclusions:
- Acidic clusters in CD163 SRCR domains 2 and 3 interact with basic residues in Hp.
- This interaction is mechanistically similar to other endocytic receptor-ligand pairings.
- The findings provide insight into Hp-Hb-CD163 complex formation and dissociation.
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