In anaphylaxis, asthma and other forms of acute and chronic allergic diseases, eosinophils and mast cells, through release of preformed and newly generated mediators, granule proteins, and cytokines, are felt to be key effector cells. For allergic diseases, drugs that inhibit mast cell degranulation, reduce eosinophil numbers, or counteract their released mediators are useful therapies, but all remain incompletely effective. Eosinophils and mast cells are implicated in other chronic diseases including eosinophilic esophagitis. Systemic Mastocytosis, a malignant disease, presents with varying prognoses depending on the extent of involvement, but Aggressive Systemic Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Leukemia are always fatal due to the lack of effective treatments. For eosinophil-related malignancies, the revised 2008 WHO classification recognizes both molecularly defined and undefined myeloid disorders, and there remains an unmet need for treatment of unexplained eosinophilia and 'chronic eosinophilic leukemia, not otherwise specified'. Siglecs (sialic acid-binding, immunoglobulin-like lectins) are cell surface proteins found predominantly on leukocytes. Siglec-8 was discovered by us about a decade ago and is selectively expressed on eosinophils and mast cells. Its closest functional paralog in the mouse is Siglec-F, which is also selectively expressed by eosinophils but unfortunately not on mast cells. Both Siglec-8 and Siglec-F preferentially and uniquely recognize the glycan 6'-sulfo-sialyl Lewis X (6'-sulfo-sLeX) and its non-fucosylated form. Engagement of Siglec- 8/-F with antibodies (Abs) and/or artificial ligands causes eosinophil death. Administration of Siglec-F Abs in mouse models of chronic allergic asthma and eosinophilia normalizes eosinophilic inflammatory responses and abrogates lung remodeling. This application is a competitive renewal of R01 AI72265 entitled 'Targeting Siglec-8/Siglec-F to Reduce Allergic Responses in vitro and in vivo', funded from 07/01/07-06/30/12 with an ARRA supplement from 07/01/10-06/30/11. The overarching goals were to explore ligands for Siglec-8/-F, their functions, and the mechanisms by which they regulate eosinophilic and allergic responses. Since 2007, we have published 14 papers related to this award and have received five patents related to Siglec-8. The goal of the present application is to employ monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and glycan ligands for Siglec-8 in highly translational, preclinical in vitro and murine studies (including Siglec-8 trangenics) to define their utility as therapeutic targets. Innovations include liposomal targeting to reduce systemic toxicity of payload drugs by selectively targeting Siglec-8/-F bearing cells, thus reducing total dose of drug delivered. Approaches proposed involve use of nanoparticles for imaging of esophageal eosinophilic inflammation (Aim 1), liposomal delivery of inhibitory drugs selectively to eosinophils or mast cells by targeting Siglec-8/-F and its ligands to treat allergic and inflammatory diseases involving these cells (Aim 2), and use of Siglec-8/-F targeting liposomes carrying chemotherapies or our Siglec-8 mAb to treat malignant diseases involving eosinophils and mast cells (Aim 3).

Public Health Relevance

Allergic diseases and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders are not well controlled in a substantial number of patients, resulting in significant morbidity and cost. Prior studies have implicated two particular cell types, eosinophils and mast cells, in the pathogenesis of these disorders, and cancers involving these cells can be fatal. Studies in this grant application will explore whether Siglec-8, a molecule selectively expressed by these two cells, can be targeted for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
High Priority, Short Term Project Award (R56)
Project #
2R56AI072265-06
Application #
8513686
Study Section
Hypersensitivity, Autoimmune, and Immune-mediated Diseases Study Section (HAI)
Program Officer
Minnicozzi, Michael
Project Start
2007-06-15
Project End
2013-01-31
Budget Start
2012-09-01
Budget End
2013-01-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$405,000
Indirect Cost
$155,000
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
O'Sullivan, Jeremy A; Wei, Yadong; Carroll, Daniela J et al. (2018) Frontline Science: Characterization of a novel mouse strain expressing human Siglec-8 only on eosinophils. J Leukoc Biol 104:11-19
Khoury, Paneez; Bochner, Bruce S (2018) Consultation for Elevated Blood Eosinophils: Clinical Presentations, High Value Diagnostic Tests, and Treatment Options. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 6:1446-1453
Bochner, Bruce S (2018) The eosinophil: For better or worse, in sickness and in health. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 121:150-155
Carroll, Daniela J; O'Sullivan, Jeremy A; Nix, David B et al. (2018) Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 8 (Siglec-8) is an activating receptor mediating ?2-integrin-dependent function in human eosinophils. J Allergy Clin Immunol 141:2196-2207
Bolden, Jessica E; Lucas, Erin C; Zhou, Geyu et al. (2018) Identification of a Siglec-F+ granulocyte-macrophage progenitor. J Leukoc Biol 104:123-133
Schleimer, Robert P; Schnaar, Ronald L; Bochner, Bruce S (2016) Regulation of airway inflammation by Siglec-8 and Siglec-9 sialoglycan ligand expression. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 16:24-30
Janssen, William J; Stefanski, Adrianne L; Bochner, Bruce S et al. (2016) Control of lung defence by mucins and macrophages: ancient defence mechanisms with modern functions. Eur Respir J 48:1201-1214
Bochner, Bruce S; Kiwamoto, Takumi; Katoh, Toshihiko et al. (2015) Reply: To PMID 25497369. J Allergy Clin Immunol 135:1662-3
Bochner, Bruce S (2015) Novel Therapies for Eosinophilic Disorders. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 35:577-98
Kiwamoto, Takumi; Katoh, Toshihiko; Evans, Christopher M et al. (2015) Endogenous airway mucins carry glycans that bind Siglec-F and induce eosinophil apoptosis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 135:1329-1340.e9

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