ORMDL3 Functions as a Negative Regulator of Antigen-Mediated Mast Cell Activation via an ATF6-UPR-Autophagy-Dependent Pathway

Front Immunol. 2021 Feb 19:12:604974. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.604974. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Antigen (Ag)-mediated mast cell activation plays a critical role in the immunopathology of IgE-dependent allergic diseases. Restraining the signaling cascade that regulates the release of mast cell-derived inflammatory mediators is an attractive therapeutic strategy to treat allergic diseases. Orosomucoid-like-3 (ORMDL3) regulates the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-induced unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy. Although ERS/UPR/autophagy pathway is crucial in Ag-induced mast cell activation, it is unknown whether ORMDL3 regulates the ERS/UPR/autophagy pathway during mast cell activation. In this study, we found that ORMDL3 expression was downregulated in Ag-activated MC/9 cells. Overexpression of ORMDL3 significantly inhibited degranulation, and cytokine/chemokine production, while the opposite effect was observed with ORMDL3 knockdown in MC/9 cells. Importantly, ORMDL3 overexpression upregulated mediators of ERS-UPR (SERCA2b, ATF6) and autophagy (Beclin 1 and LC3BII). Knockdown of ATF6 and/or inhibition of autophagy reversed the decreased degranulation and cytokine/chemokine expression caused by ORMDL3 overexpression. Moreover, in vivo knockdown of ORMDL3 and/or ATF6 enhanced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reactions in mouse ears. These data indicate that ORMDL3 suppresses Ag-mediated mast cell activation via an ATF6 UPR-autophagy dependent pathway and thus, attenuates anaphylactic reaction. This highlights a potential mechanism to intervene in mast cell mediated diseases.

Keywords: activating transcription factor 6; autophagy; degranulation; mast cell activation; orosomucoid-like 3; passive cutaneous anaphylaxis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activating Transcription Factor 6 / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Antigens / immunology
  • Autophagy* / immunology
  • Cell Degranulation / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation
  • Mast Cells / immunology*
  • Mast Cells / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Phosphorylation
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Unfolded Protein Response*

Substances

  • Activating Transcription Factor 6
  • Antigens
  • Atf6 protein, mouse
  • Cytokines
  • Membrane Proteins
  • ORMDL3 protein, mouse