Altered eosinophil profile in mice with ST6Gal-1 deficiency: an additional role for ST6Gal-1 generated by the P1 promoter in regulating allergic inflammation

J Leukoc Biol. 2010 Mar;87(3):457-66. doi: 10.1189/jlb.1108704. Epub 2009 Dec 9.

Abstract

Cumulative evidence indicates that the sialyltransferase ST6Gal-1 and the sialyl-glycans, which it constructs, are functionally pleiotropic. Expression of the ST6Gal-1 gene is mediated by six distinct promoter/regulatory regions, and we hypothesized that these promoters may be used differentially to produce ST6Gal-1 for different biologic purposes. To examine this hypothesis, we compared a mouse with a complete deficiency in ST6Gal-1 (Siat1 null) with another mouse that we have created previously with a disruption only in the P1 promoter (Siat1DeltaP1). We noted previously greater neutrophilic inflammation associated with ST6Gal-1 deficiency. Here, we report that ST6Gal-1-deficient mice also have significantly elevated eosinophilic responses. Upon i.p. thioglycollate elicitation, eosinophils accounted for over 20% of the total peritoneal inflammatory cell pool in ST6Gal-1-deficient animals, which was threefold greater than in corresponding wild-type animals. A principal feature of allergic respiratory inflammation is pulmonary eosinophilia, we evaluated the role of ST6Gal-1 in allergic lung inflammation. Using OVA and ABPA experimental models of allergic airways, we showed that ST6Gal-1 deficiency led to greater airway inflammation characterized by excessive airway eosinophilia. The severity of airway inflammation was similar between Siat1DeltaP1 and Siat1 null mice, indicating a role for P1-generated ST6Gal-1 in regulating eosinophilic inflammation. Colony-forming assays suggested greater IL-5-dependent eosinophil progenitor numbers in the marrow of ST6Gal-1-deficient animals. Moreover, allergen provocation of wild-type mice led to a significant reduction in P1-mediated ST6Gal-1 mRNA and accompanied decline in circulatory ST6Gal-1 levels. Taken together, the data implicate ST6Gal-1 as a participant in regulating not only Th1 but also Th2 responses, and ST6Gal-1 deficiency can lead to the development of more severe allergic inflammation with excessive eosinophil production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / complications
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / enzymology
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / immunology
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / pathology
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Eosinophils / cytology
  • Eosinophils / enzymology
  • Eosinophils / immunology*
  • Hypersensitivity / blood
  • Hypersensitivity / complications*
  • Hypersensitivity / enzymology
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Longevity
  • Mice
  • Peritonitis / chemically induced
  • Peritonitis / enzymology
  • Peritonitis / immunology
  • Pneumonia / blood
  • Pneumonia / complications*
  • Pneumonia / enzymology*
  • Pneumonia / immunology
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics*
  • Sialyltransferases / deficiency*
  • Sialyltransferases / genetics*
  • Sialyltransferases / metabolism
  • Stem Cells
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • beta-D-Galactoside alpha 2-6-Sialyltransferase

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Sialyltransferases
  • beta-D-Galactoside alpha 2-6-Sialyltransferase