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Evaluate three v-SNAREs in regulated and constitutive TNF release from mast cells

Award Number: R03AI169047
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2025

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Evaluate three v-SNAREs in regulated and constitutive TNF release from mast cells - PROJECT SUMMARY Mast cell-derived TNF (tumor necrosis factor) plays important roles in immune responses, but when in excess, causes inflammatory disorders including asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike other TNF producing cells, mast cells pre-store TNF in cytoplasmic granules, which can undergo rapid exocytosis/degranulation under specific conditions. Mast cells can also be activated to promote TNF transcription, and newly synthesized TNF is released over time via constitutive secretory carriers such as Golgi-derived vesicles. Both regulated and constitutive TNF secretion require specific interactions between vesicle/granule-anchored SNAREs (v-SNAREs) and SNAREs anchored to the plasma membrane (the target membrane; hence t-SNAREs), resulting in the formation of trans-SNARE complexes and concomitant membrane fusion. Exocytic trans-SNARE complexes in immune cells are typically composed of a VAMP (v-SNARE), a SNAP23 (t-SNARE) and a syntaxin (t-SNARE). However, the identities of the SNAREs that underscore TNF release from activated mast cells are largely unknown, which has hindered the understanding of the stimulus-specific regulation of TNF exocytosis in these cells. The overall objective of this proposal is to uncover the missing v-SNAREs required in regulated and constitutive TNF secretion from primary mast cells. New evidence from our lab has suggested that TNF is associated with exosomes within MVBs (multivesicular bodies; a type of late endosomes), which rely on VAMP7 or Ykt6 (a unique, multi-purpose v-SNARE) to fuse with the plasma membrane. Meanwhile, VAMP2 has recently emerged as the v-SNARE that mediates the exocytosis of Golgi-derived vesicles. Based on these fresh insights, we hypothesize that mast cells employ VAMP7/Ykt6 and VAMP2 to release prestored and newly synthesized TNF respectively in response to different environmental cues. To test this hypothesis, we will exploit primary mast cells derived from KO mice and their wildtype littermates to pursue two specific aims. Aim1 will assess the requirement of VAMP7 and Ykt6 in acute/regulated TNF exocytosis. Aim2 will assess the requirement of VAMP2 in constitutive TNF exocytosis. The completion of this study will delineate the catalytic machineries that drive TNF exocytosis under different environmental conditions, setting a stage for revealing stimulus-specific regulation of TNF release unique to mast cells.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2023	THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI	118 COLLEGE DRIVE	HATTIESBURG	MS	39406	FORREST	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	6/2/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $74,000 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, THE	2609 W 4TH ST STE H	HATTIESBURG	MS	39401	FORREST	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	1/11/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$74,000
														Subtotal = $74,000

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $74,000 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, THE	2609 W 4TH ST STE H	HATTIESBURG	MS	39401	FORREST	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	1/28/2022	NEW	$74,000
														Subtotal = $74,000

Grand Total All Awards = $148,000

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Evaluate three v-SNAREs in regulated and constitutive TNF release from mast cells

Award Number: R03AI169047

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2025

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