Neutrophils contain four types of secretory organelles that hold specialized proteins essential for their microbicidal activity. Unrestricted release of the toxic content of their granules would be injurious to the host. Exocytosis of these granules is hierarchical and differentially regulated. This correlates with the role the cargo proteins play in the processes of adhesion, migration, chemotaxis, phagocytosis and production of reactive oxygen species. The mechanism of vesicle exocytosis in neutrophils is poorly understood. Rab27a is a small GTPase associated with secretory processes. Its role in granulocytes is unknown. Genetic defects in Rab27a are associated with the human immunodeficiency Griscelli syndrome in which neutrophil function may be altered. On the basis of extensive evidence from our laboratory, we propose the following hypotheses: 1) Rab27a and its effectors JFC1 and Munc13-4 play a central role in exocytosis in neutrophils and in associated functions that depend on granular protein mobilization;2) granules implicated in cargo release into the surrounding milieu are molecularly and mechanistically different from those involved in cargo release into the phagosome;3) JFC1 provides the specificity required to target Rab27a-containing vesicles to the docking site at the plasma membrane during exocytosis while Munc13-4 regulates the fusion process. To understand the mechanisms of Rab27a-dependent vesicular trafficking in granulocytes, we propose three specific aims: 1) To examine the role that Rab27a plays in exocytosis and phagocytosis in granulocytes, using Rab27a-deficient mice;2) To identify the mechanisms that regulate the docking of Rab27a-containing vesicles in granulocytes by electron and evanescence fluorescence microscopy using JFC1-deficient cells;3) To identify the cellular and biochemical events regulated by the Rab27a-effector Munc13-4. We plan to elucidate the mechanism underlying vesicle fusion and exocytosis using neutrophils from Munc13-4-deficient mice. The results of the proposed research plan should uncover the molecular mechanisms of vesicle docking, fusion and secretion in neutrophils and lead to effective molecular strategies for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Public Health Relevance

Neutrophils are white cells that circulate in the blood. They play an essential role in protecting us from microbial infections through the production and release of substances that are toxic to the microorganisms. These toxic products, when released in large amounts or in an uncontrolled manner, can be harmful to the host (humans). The study of the mechanism that controls the release of toxic products by neutrophils will lead to the design of therapeutic strategies for the control of diseases like arthritis and other inflammatory disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL088256-02
Application #
7744013
Study Section
Erythrocyte and Leukocyte Biology Study Section (ELB)
Program Officer
Welniak, Lisbeth A
Project Start
2008-12-03
Project End
2012-11-30
Budget Start
2009-12-01
Budget End
2010-11-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$473,750
Indirect Cost
Name
Scripps Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
781613492
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
Kurz, Angela R M; Catz, Sergio D; Sperandio, Markus (2018) Noncanonical Hippo Signalling in the Regulation of Leukocyte Function. Trends Immunol 39:656-669
Zhang, Jinzhong; Johnson, Jennifer L; He, Jing et al. (2017) Cystinosin, the small GTPase Rab11, and the Rab7 effector RILP regulate intracellular trafficking of the chaperone-mediated autophagy receptor LAMP2A. J Biol Chem 292:10328-10346
Ramadass, Mahalakshmi; Johnson, Jennifer Linda; Catz, Sergio D (2017) Rab27a regulates GM-CSF-dependent priming of neutrophil exocytosis. J Leukoc Biol 101:693-702
Johnson, Jennifer L; Ramadass, Mahalakshmi; Haimovich, Ariela et al. (2017) Increased Neutrophil Secretion Induced by NLRP3 Mutation Links the Inflammasome to Azurophilic Granule Exocytosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 7:507
Catz, Sergio D (2017) Editorial: The secrets of secretion. J Leukoc Biol 102:4-6
Kurz, Angela R M; Pruenster, Monika; Rohwedder, Ina et al. (2016) MST1-dependent vesicle trafficking regulates neutrophil transmigration through the vascular basement membrane. J Clin Invest 126:4125-4139
He, Jing; Johnson, Jennifer L; Monfregola, Jlenia et al. (2016) Munc13-4 interacts with syntaxin 7 and regulates late endosomal maturation, endosomal signaling, and TLR9-initiated cellular responses. Mol Biol Cell 27:572-87
Johnson, Jennifer L; He, Jing; Ramadass, Mahalakshmi et al. (2016) Munc13-4 Is a Rab11-binding Protein That Regulates Rab11-positive Vesicle Trafficking and Docking at the Plasma Membrane. J Biol Chem 291:3423-38
Ramadass, Mahalakshmi; Catz, Sergio D (2016) Molecular mechanisms regulating secretory organelles and endosomes in neutrophils and their implications for inflammation. Immunol Rev 273:249-65
Napolitano, Gennaro; Johnson, Jennifer L; He, Jing et al. (2015) Impairment of chaperone-mediated autophagy leads to selective lysosomal degradation defects in the lysosomal storage disease cystinosis. EMBO Mol Med 7:158-74

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