IL-33, acting via its receptor, ST2L, is a highly potent cytokine implicated in septic injury. The IL-33/ST2L axis appears indispensable in inflammatory signaling as blockade of the ST2L receptor significantly attenuates systemic inflammation. Thus, maneuvers designed to selectively modulate availability of ST2L might lessen the severity of sepsis. However, to date, very little is known regarding the molecular regulation of ST2L expression. In the process of studying bacterial sepsis, we discovered that a new orphan protein, FBXL19 (F-box protein 19, SCFFBXL19), specifically targets phosphorylated ST2L for its ubiquitination and degradation. Our published and preliminary works also shows that ST2L is phosphorylated by glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3), and that activation of the IL-33/ST2L axis induces cleavage of PARP and PKC thereby promoting apoptosis. Further, FBXL19 mediated disposal of ST2L attenuates IL-33/ST2L-induced pro-inflammatory signaling, apoptosis, and lessens the severity of inflammatory organ injury in septic murine models. These data led to our novel hypothesis that GSK3-driven phosphorylation of ST2L serves as a molecular signature for F-box protein mediated ubiquitination and degradation of ST2L in sepsis-associated injury. We will test this hypothesis by executing two specific Aims: (1) To investigate the mechanisms by which GSK3 promotes ST2L degradation and regulates IL-33/ST2L signaling, and (2) To investigate the mechanisms by which FBXL19 and its ligand promotes ST2L ubiquitination and degradation thereby attenuating septic lung injury. These studies will lay the groundwork for a significant mechanistic advance with regard to the molecular regulation of a relatively new receptor (ST2L) involved in sepsis. Results from these studies are intended to serve as the basis for strategies directed at the development of novel small molecule inhibitors of the IL-33/ST2L pathway to lessen the severity of sepsis-induced organ injury.
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a cause of respiratory failure resulting from acute pulmonary inflammation. Almost half of patients with septic shock develop ALI. These studies will identify molecular mechanisms on how a new protein, termed F-box protein FBXL19, targets a pro-inflammatory cytokine receptor to mediate its degradation. These studies will be critical in developing a novel small molecule as potential therapeutics to lessen the severity of sepsis.
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