Besides mast cells and basophils, the high-affinity IgE Fc receptor (FcepsilonRI) is exclusively expressed on certain FcalphaR (IgA Fc receptor)-expressing immune cells such as neutrophils in allergic patients. Transfected rat basophilic leukemia cell line (RBL-2H3) co-expressing FcepsilonRI and FcalphaR was analyzed for effects of simultaneous receptor engagement by their specific antibodies on degranulation and signaling. Whereas supraoptimal FcepsilonRI engagement decreased degranulation, which is known as a bell-shaped dose-response curve, such inhibitory effect was not observed with FcalphaR engagement. However, simultaneous engagement of FcepsilonRI and FcalphaR showed that supraoptimal FcepsilonRI engagement down-regulates FcalphaR-mediated degranulation. This inhibition was associated with extensive phosphorylation of inositol polyphosphate 5'-phosphatase SHIP1 and FcepsilonRIbeta, and reversed by adding actin-depolymerizing drug, latrunculin B. The results suggest an endogenous mechanism by which FcalphaR functionality is down-regulated in an 'allergic environment' where FcepsilonRI is co-expressed and extensively cross-linked on FcalphaR-expressing effector cells.