The P.I. has recently entered the research field of cutaneous autoimmunity bringing a strong molecular biology background. Her career development plan is designed to secure advanced training in autoimmunity, gain research experience in glycosylation study, and enhance technical skills in animal model study. Achievement of these new objectives together with her past expertise will prepare the candidate to develop a research direction, addressing role of glycosylation in cell-adhesion and skin blistering diseases. Under the guidance of Dr. L.A. Diaz, her mentor, she will interact closely with co-mentors/consultants during the proposed research. Her research plan explores the role of glycans on pemphigus antigen/auto antibody interactions. This plan was build upon a very novel finding that two galactose-specific lectins, jacalin and peanut agglutinin (PNA), bind baculovirus expressed pemphigus foliaceus (PF) antigen, desmoglein 1 (rDsgl), and protect mice from PF IgG-induced skin blisters. Other lectins are ineffective. It is hypothesized that binding of jacalin or PNA to Dsg1 interfere the Dsg1/autoantibody interaction by steric hindrance or by inducing conformational changes on Dsgl It is also feasible that pathogenic anti-Dsgl antibodies and lectins compete for the same Dsg1 epitopes.
Aim 1 tests the interaction of these lectins with mammalian-expressed Dsg1 (which may be glycosylated differently than the baculovirus-expressed Dsg1).
In Aim 2, we will selectively remove the O- or N-glycans of Dsg1 and then test their binding ability to PF IgG and the lectins.
In Aim 3, we will map the glycosylation sites on Dsg1 that are bound by lectins and antibodies.
In Aim 4, we will test whether lectins bind epidermis in vivo and prevent the binding of pathogenic autoantibodies. We will develop a new strategy to test whether the lectins can prevent progression of existing lesions. The outcome of this grant will shed light on the pathogenesis of PF and may lead to novel therapies. Additionally, the data generated and broad knowledge gained will support the candidate to develop an independent career.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01AR052109-04
Application #
7483272
Study Section
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Special Grants Review Committee (AMS)
Program Officer
Baker, Carl
Project Start
2005-09-16
Project End
2010-08-31
Budget Start
2008-09-01
Budget End
2009-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$121,299
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Dermatology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
608195277
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Lin, Lan; Betsuyaku, Tomoko; Heimbach, Lisa et al. (2012) Neutrophil elastase cleaves the murine hemidesmosomal protein BP180/type XVII collagen and generates degradation products that modulate experimental bullous pemphigoid. Matrix Biol 31:38-44
Heimbach, Lisa; Li, Zhuowei; Berkowitz, Paula et al. (2011) The C5a receptor on mast cells is critical for the autoimmune skin-blistering disease bullous pemphigoid. J Biol Chem 286:15003-9
Lin, Lan; Bankaitis, Eric; Heimbach, Lisa et al. (2011) Dual targets for mouse mast cell protease-4 in mediating tissue damage in experimental bullous pemphigoid. J Biol Chem 286:37358-67
Li, Ning; Park, Moonhee; Zhao, Minglang et al. (2010) The Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen-binding lectin jacalin interacts with desmoglein-1 and abrogates the pathogenicity of pemphigus foliaceus autoantibodies in vivo. J Invest Dermatol 130:2773-80
Heimbach, L; Li, N; Diaz, A et al. (2009) Experimental animal models of bullous pemphigoid. G Ital Dermatol Venereol 144:423-31
Qaqish, Bahjat F; Prisayanh, Phillip; Qian, Ye et al. (2009) Development of an IgG4-based predictor of endemic pemphigus foliaceus (fogo selvagem). J Invest Dermatol 129:110-8
Li, Ning; Zhao, Minglang; Wang, Jinzhao et al. (2009) Involvement of the apoptotic mechanism in pemphigus foliaceus autoimmune injury of the skin. J Immunol 182:711-7
Culton, Donna A; Qian, Ye; Li, Ning et al. (2008) Advances in pemphigus and its endemic pemphigus foliaceus (Fogo Selvagem) phenotype: a paradigm of human autoimmunity. J Autoimmun 31:311-24
Liu, Zhi; Sui, Wen; Zhao, Minglang et al. (2008) Subepidermal blistering induced by human autoantibodies to BP180 requires innate immune players in a humanized bullous pemphigoid mouse model. J Autoimmun 31:331-8
Evangelista, Flor; Dasher, David A; Diaz, Luis A et al. (2008) E-cadherin is an additional immunological target for pemphigus autoantibodies. J Invest Dermatol 128:1710-8

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