Asthma is a serious chronic illness that affects many children worldwide. Exposure to cockroach allergen in early life can lead to allergic sensitization and increase the risk of developing asthma. However, the underlying immune mechanisms and genetic etiology remain unclear. Recent advances have demonstrated that members of the C-type lectin receptor (CLR) family functionally interact with allergens and are critical in controllng immune response. This offers a novel avenue to investigate their biological role in allergic responses and their genetic effects. In this regard, CD206 (MRC1), encoding mannose receptor, a major member of the CLR family, has been shown to mediate Bla g2 (cockroach allergen) uptake. Specifically, our ongoing study has led to a novel observation that CD206 is highly expressed in human monocyte-derived fibrocytes, unique cells expressing both hematopoietic cells (CD34, CD45, MHC class II) and stromal cells (collagen I and III), and functionally interacts with Bla g2. Our preliminary studies have also provided initial evidence supporting a role of CD206 in mediating cockroach allergen -induced allergic responses in a mouse model of asthma. Furthermore, our genetic analysis has demonstrated a significant association for sequence variants in CD206 and asthma in two independent populations. The stage is thus set to critically evaluate the functional significance of the cockroach allergen-CD206 axis in allergic responses. HYPOTHESIS: CLRs, particularly CD206 expressed by fibrocytes, may play a pivotal role in allergic responses to cockroach allergen.
Aim 1 proposes experiments to investigate the functional interaction of cockroach allergen and CD206 in fibrocytes. We will use a well-established ex vivo model to investigate the CD206-mediated cockroach allergen induced fibrocyte maturation, activation, and antigen presenting cell (APC) function in T cell proliferation and polarization (Th1/Th2/Th17) by using gene silencing and receptor blocking approaches.
Aim 2 proposes experiments to determine the role of CD206 and fibrocytes in cockroach allergen-induced inflammation and airway remodeling. We will use mouse models of cockroach allergic asthma to test whether CD206 deficient mice are protected from cockroach allergen-induced airway inflammation, and to study the role of fibrocytes in regulating both airway immunological and fibrotic responses and the modulatory effects of CD206 on fibrocyte function. Finally, Aim 3 proposes studies to assess association between sequence variants in CD206 and cockroach sensitization and to determine their role in gene expression and function. We will identify genetic variants in CD206 using targeted deep-sequencing and test their associations with cockroach sensitization among African Americans. We will then test for gene-environment interactions to determine the effect of cockroach exposure on the association with cockroach sensitization. We will finally determine the role of CD206 genetic variants in regulation of gene function. This will provide novel insights into the role of cockroach allergen-CD206 axis in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases and offer an opportunity for novel therapies.

Public Health Relevance

Sensitization to cockroach allergen is one of the strongest predictors of asthma morbidity, and is associated with genetic basis. Mannose receptor (MR) on innate immune cells has been shown to mediate cockroach allergen uptake and immunological responses. Studies in this grant application will investigate the functional interaction of cockroach allergen and CD206 in fibrocytes, define the role of CD206 and fibrocytes in cockroach allergen induced airway inflammation in a mouse model, and examine the impact of sequence variants in CD206 on gene expression and function, and will lead to a better target for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01ES021739-02
Application #
8589411
Study Section
Hypersensitivity, Autoimmune, and Immune-mediated Diseases Study Section (HAI)
Program Officer
Nadadur, Srikanth
Project Start
2012-12-01
Project End
2017-10-31
Budget Start
2013-11-01
Budget End
2014-10-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$328,050
Indirect Cost
$125,550
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
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Wang, Heng; Do, Danh C; Liu, Jinxin et al. (2018) Functional role of kynurenine and aryl hydrocarbon receptor axis in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. J Allergy Clin Immunol 141:586-600.e6
Ke, Xia; Do, Danh C; Li, Changjun et al. (2018) Ras homolog family member A/Rho-associated protein kinase 1 signaling modulates lineage commitment of mesenchymal stem cells in asthmatic patients through lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1. J Allergy Clin Immunol :
Qiu, Lipeng; Zhang, Yan; Do, Danh C et al. (2018) miR-155 Modulates Cockroach Allergen- and Oxidative Stress-Induced Cyclooxygenase-2 in Asthma. J Immunol 201:916-929
Zhou, Yufeng; Do, Danh C; Ishmael, Faoud T et al. (2018) Mannose receptor modulates macrophage polarization and allergic inflammation through miR-511-3p. J Allergy Clin Immunol 141:350-364.e8
Qu, Jingjing; Do, Danh C; Zhou, Yufeng et al. (2017) Oxidized CaMKII promotes asthma through the activation of mast cells. JCI Insight 2:e90139
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Do, Danh C; Yang, Shuang; Yao, Xu et al. (2017) N-glycan in cockroach allergen regulates human basophil function. Immun Inflamm Dis 5:386-399
Do, Danh C; Agrawal, Arshi; Luo, Xiaoyan et al. (2017) Gab1, a therapeutic target for allergic asthma? J Xiangya Med 2:
Li, Changjun; Zhen, Gehua; Chai, Yu et al. (2016) RhoA determines lineage fate of mesenchymal stem cells by modulating CTGF-VEGF complex in extracellular matrix. Nat Commun 7:11455

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