Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) cures many malignant and non-malignant diseases. However, the transplant recipient incurs significant infectious morbidity and mortality during periods of profound cytopenia and immunodeficiency caused by transplantation itself and its associated complications, such as graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). Infection risk dramatically declines as donor hematopoiesis is functionally reconstituted in the transplant recipient. Unlike adaptive immune reconstitution, innate cellular mediated immune (iCMI) recovery is largely undefined despite its having well-characterized anti-infective properties. The research proposal hypothesizes that reconstituted iCMI following HSCT serves to protect the host against infection and that cytokine therapy using FIt3L (fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand) can augment its anti-microbial properties. In support of this hypothesis, preliminary data using an established murine model of autologous bone marrow transplantation defines biphasic functional iCMI reconstitution. In addition, FIt3L accelerates dendritic and natural killer (NK) cell reconstitution, leading to enhanced interleukin 12 (IL-12) and earlier IL-12-induced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production. The proposal will further characterize phasic iCMI reconstitution in the established murine model using standard techniques of immunology research, such as cytokine augmentation, monoclonal antibody depletion and ex vivo cell-culture stimulation. Specifically, the proposal will define relationships between distinct cell populations and cytokine responses and the role of reconstituted Toll-like receptors in transplant host defense. Once defined, anti-infective properties of iCMI will be tested using systemic Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus challenge in the presence and absence of FIt3L. Future directions include defining iCMI reconstitution in the presence of immunosuppressive therapy and GVHD using murine models incorporating cyclosporine administration and allogeneic transplantation, respectively. This research focus complements the applicant's dual training in hematology/oncology and infectious diseases and serves as a catalyst for his career as a physician scientist exploring host defense defects in immunocompromised hosts. Sound mentorship and established infrastructure will combine with the applicant's personal commitment in fostering his development into a fully funded independent investigator.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08AI057801-04
Application #
7188022
Study Section
Allergy & Clinical Immunology-1 (AITC)
Program Officer
Prograis, Lawrence J
Project Start
2004-03-01
Project End
2009-02-28
Budget Start
2007-03-01
Budget End
2008-02-29
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$122,850
Indirect Cost
Name
Case Western Reserve University
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
077758407
City
Cleveland
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
44106
Auletta, Jeffery J; Eid, Saada K; Wuttisarnwattana, Patiwet et al. (2015) Human mesenchymal stromal cells attenuate graft-versus-host disease and maintain graft-versus-leukemia activity following experimental allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Stem Cells 33:601-14
Auletta, Jeffery J; Deans, Robert J; Bartholomew, Amelia M (2012) Emerging roles for multipotent, bone marrow-derived stromal cells in host defense. Blood 119:1801-9
Auletta, Jeffery J; Bartholomew, Amelia M; Maziarz, Richard T et al. (2012) The potential of mesenchymal stromal cells as a novel cellular therapy for multiple sclerosis. Immunotherapy 4:529-47
Petrosiute, Agne; Auletta, Jeffery J; Lazarus, Hillard M (2012) Achieving graft-versus-tumor effect in brain tumor patients: from autologous progenitor cell transplant to active immunotherapy. Immunotherapy 4:1139-51
Auletta, Jeffery J; Cooke, Kenneth R; Solchaga, Luis A et al. (2010) Regenerative stromal cell therapy in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: current impact and future directions. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 16:891-906
Auletta, Jeffery J; Alabran, Jennifer L; Kim, Byung-Gyu et al. (2010) The synthetic triterpenoid, CDDO-Me, modulates the proinflammatory response to in vivo lipopolysaccharide challenge. J Interferon Cytokine Res 30:497-508
Auletta, Jeffery J; Cooke, Kenneth R (2009) Bone marrow transplantation: new approaches to immunosuppression and management of acute graft-versus-host disease. Curr Opin Pediatr 21:30-8
Greene, Jennifer A; DeVecchio, Jennifer L; Gould, Meetha P et al. (2006) In vivo and in vitro regulation of type I IFN synthesis by synergistic effects of CD40 and type II IFN. J Immunol 176:5995-6003
Gupta, Sameer; Gould, Meetha P; DeVecchio, Jennifer et al. (2006) CpG-induced IFNgamma expands TLR4-specific IL-18 responses in vivo. Cell Immunol 243:75-82
Yadavalli, Gopala K; Chien, Jason W; Wener, Kenneth M et al. (2005) Interleukin 12 and interferon-gamma synthetic deficiency is associated with dendritic cell cytopenia after cardiac surgery. Shock 24:26-33

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