Allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (BMT) is a highly effective and potentially curative treatment for a number of hematopoietic malignancies due to the associated Graft versus Leukemia (GVL) effect. However, this beneficial GVL effect is frequently offset by the development of Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD). Development of GVHD is critically dependent on a systemic and local inflammatory response in GVHD target organs. We hypothesize that activation of early inflammatory signaling pathways in GVHD target organs controls recruitment of donor T cells to GVHD target organs (e.g. upregulation of adhesion molecules, chemokines) and induction of tissue damage. Therefore, identification of signaling pathways and candidate molecules may lead to novel approaches for future targeted therapy and prevention of GVHD. The Janus Kinase (JAK) - Signal activator of transcription (STAT) pathway is a major signaling pathway converting cytokine signals into gene expression programs regulating pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. Using rodent models of allogeneic BMT we have identified the activation of STAT1 and STAT3 to be an early event during the induction of GVHD in GVHD target organs. We propose that STAT1 and STAT3 are required mediators of inflammation in GVHD target organs and that conversely STAT1 and STAT3 may antagonize GVL effects. It is therefore the primary goal of this proposal to test the role of STAT1 and STAT3 in GVHD and GVL.
In Aim 1 we will study the requirement of STAT1 and STAT3 as mediators for GVHD addition using constitutive STAT1 or conditional STAT3 gene deficient mice and small molecule inhibitors of STAT1 and STAT3. GVHD will be induced following lethal irradiation in different immunogenetic host-donor disparities as well as in unconditioned mice. In addition using STAT1 or STAT3 gene deficient mice we will dissect the requirement of host versus donor STAT1/3 for the development of GVHD.
In Aim 2 we will study the role of STAT1 and STAT3 in regulating lymphohematopoietic GVH reactions and GVL effects in the absence or presence of conditioning-induced inflammation and will address the question whether manipulation of STAT1 or STAT3 might augment GVL effect.

Public Health Relevance

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the treatment of choice for a number of malignant and benign diseases of the hematopoietic system. Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD) and its complications are still the leading causes of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. 15% to 50% of patients will die due to GVHD or infectious complications and precluding the widespread application of this potential curative treatment option. Therefore, it is of high significance to develop novel approaches, which allow to maintain Graft versus Leukemia (GVL) reactions, but diminish or prevent GVHD.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
7R01HL093716-05
Application #
8313905
Study Section
Cancer Immunopathology and Immunotherapy Study Section (CII)
Program Officer
Di Fronzo, Nancy L
Project Start
2008-09-19
Project End
2014-08-31
Budget Start
2012-09-01
Budget End
2014-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$409,730
Indirect Cost
$151,421
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
621889815
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10032
Li, Shirong; Fu, Jing; Wang, Hui et al. (2018) IMiD compounds affect CD34+ cell fate and maturation via CRBN-induced IKZF1 degradation. Blood Adv 2:492-504
Liu, Ailing; Li, Shirong; Donnenberg, Vera et al. (2018) Immunomodulatory drugs downregulate IKZF1 leading to expansion of hematopoietic progenitors with concomitant block of megakaryocytic maturation. Haematologica 103:1688-1697
Fu, Jing; Li, Shirong; Feng, Rentian et al. (2016) Multiple myeloma-derived MMP-13 mediates osteoclast fusogenesis and osteolytic disease. J Clin Invest 126:1759-72
Li, Shirong; Fu, Jing; Lu, Caisheng et al. (2016) Elevated Translation Initiation Factor eIF4E Is an Attractive Therapeutic Target in Multiple Myeloma. Mol Cancer Ther 15:711-9
Stenger, Elizabeth O; Rosborough, Brian R; Mathews, Lisa R et al. (2014) IL-12hi rapamycin-conditioned dendritic cells mediate IFN-?-dependent apoptosis of alloreactive CD4+ T cells in vitro and reduce lethal graft-versus-host disease. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 20:192-201
Li, S; Fu, J; Ma, H et al. (2013) Lenalidomide-induced upregulation of CXCR4 in CD34+ hematopoietic cells, a potential mechanism of decreased hematopoietic progenitor mobilization. Leukemia 27:1407-11
Mapara, Markus Y (2013) Reprogramming donor T cells for adoptive immunotherapy. Immunotherapy 5:1287-9
Mapara, Markus Y (2013) The quest for the optimal conditioning regimen: some answers, more questions. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 19:1275-6
Qu, Zhaoxia; Fu, Jing; Ma, Huihui et al. (2012) PDLIM2 restricts Th1 and Th17 differentiation and prevents autoimmune disease. Cell Biosci 2:23
Stenger, Elizabeth O; Turnquist, H?th R; Mapara, Markus Y et al. (2012) Dendritic cells and regulation of graft-versus-host disease and graft-versus-leukemia activity. Blood 119:5088-103

Showing the most recent 10 out of 12 publications