Coordinate expansion of murine hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cell compartments by SHIPi

Structure-Activity Studies on Bis-Sulfonamide SHIP1 Activators

The SH2-containing inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) enzyme opposes the activity of PI3K and therefore is of interest in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Recent results also indicate that SHIP1 promotes phagolysosomal degradation of lipids by microglia, suggesting that the enzyme may be a target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, small molecules that increase SHIP1 activity may have benefits in these areas. Recently we discovered a bis-sulfonamide that increases the enzymatic activity of SHIP1. A series of similar SHIP1 activators have been synthesized and evaluated to determine structure-activity relationships and improve in vivo stability. Some new analogs have now been found with improved potency. In addition, both the thiophene and the thiomorpholine in the parent structure can be replaced by groups without a low valent sulfur atom, which provides a way to access activators that are less prone to oxidative degradation.

INPP5D regulates inflammasome activation in human microglia

Microglia and neuroinflammation play an important role in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase D (INPP5D/SHIP1) is a myeloid-expressed gene genetically-associated with AD. Through unbiased analyses of RNA and protein profiles in INPP5D-disrupted iPSC-derived human microglia, we find that reduction in INPP5D activity is associated with molecular profiles consistent with disrupted autophagy and inflammasome activation. These findings are validated through targeted pharmacological experiments which demonstrate that reduced INPP5D activity induces the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, cleavage of CASP1, and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18. Further, in-depth analyses of human brain tissue across hundreds of individuals using a multi-analytic approach provides evidence that a reduction in function of INPP5D in microglia results in inflammasome activation in AD. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying microglia-mediated processes in AD and highlight the inflammasome as a potential therapeutic target for modulating INPP5D-mediated vulnerability to AD.

SHIP1 inhibition via 3-alpha-amino-cholestane enhances protection against Leishmania infection

Leishmania major and L. donovani cause cutaneous leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis, respectively. Available chemotherapies suffer from toxicity, drug-resistance or high cost of production prompting the need for the discovery of new anti-leishmanials. Here, we test a novel aminosteriodal compound- 3-alpha-amino-cholestane [3AC] - that shows selective inhibition of SHIP1, an inositol-5'-phosphate-specific phosphatase with potent effects on the immune system. We report that 3AC-sensitive SHIP1 expression increases in Leishmania-infected macrophages. Treatment of BALB/c mice, a Leishmania-susceptible host, with 3AC increased anti-leishmanial, but reduced pro-leishmanial, cytokines' production and reduced the parasite load in both L. major and L. donovani infections. These findings implicate SHIPi as a potential novel immunostimulant with anti-leishmanial function.

INPP5D/SHIP1 regulates inflammasome activation in human microglia

Microglia and neuroinflammation are implicated in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To better understand microglia-mediated processes in AD, we studied the function of INPP5D/SHIP1, a gene linked to AD through GWAS. Immunostaining and single nucleus RNA sequencing confirmed that INPP5D expression in the adult human brain is largely restricted to microglia. Examination of prefrontal cortex across a large cohort revealed reduced full length INPP5D protein levels in AD patient brains compared to cognitively normal controls. The functional consequences of reduced INPP5D activity were evaluated in human induced pluripotent stem cell derived microglia (iMGLs), using both pharmacological inhibition of the phosphatase activity of INPP5D and genetic reduction in copy number. Unbiased transcriptional and proteomic profiling of iMGLs suggested an upregulation of innate immune signaling pathways, lower levels of scavenger receptors, and altered inflammasome signaling with INPP5D reduction. INPP5D inhibition induced the secretion of IL-1ß and IL-18, further implicating inflammasome activation. Inflammasome activation was confirmed through visualization of inflammasome formation through ASC immunostaining in INPP5D-inhibited iMGLs, increased cleaved caspase-1 and through rescue of elevated IL-1ß and IL-18 with caspase-1 and NLRP3 inhibitors. This work implicates INPP5D as a regulator of inflammasome signaling in human microglia.

Obesity control by SHIP inhibition requires pan-paralog inhibition and an intact eosinophil compartment

Here we extend the understanding of how chemical inhibition of SHIP paralogs controls obesity. We compare different classes of SHIP inhibitors and find that selective inhibitors of SHIP1 or SHIP2 are unable to prevent weight gain and body fat accumulation during increased caloric intake. Surprisingly, only pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors (pan-SHIPi) prevent diet-induced obesity. We confirm that pan-SHIPi is essential by showing that dual treatment with SHIP1 and SHIP2 selective inhibitors reduced adiposity during excess caloric intake. Consistent with this, genetic inactivation of both SHIP paralogs in eosinophils or myeloid cells also reduces obesity and adiposity. In fact, pan-SHIPi requires an eosinophil compartment to prevent diet-induced adiposity, demonstrating that pan-SHIPi acts via an immune mechanism. We also find that pan-SHIPi increases ILC2 cell function in aged, obese mice to reduce their obesity. Finally, we show that pan-SHIPi also reduces hyperglycemia, but not via eosinophils, indicating a separate mechanism for glucose control.

N1-Benzyl Tryptamine Pan-SHIP1/2 Inhibitors: Synthesis and Preliminary Biological Evaluation as Anti-Tumor Agents

Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase (SHIP) with small molecule inhibitors leads to apoptosis in tumor cells. Inhibitors that target both SHIP1 and SHIP2 (pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors) may have benefits in these areas since paralog compensation is not possible when both SHIP paralogs are being inhibited. A series of tryptamine-based pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors have been synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the SHIP paralogs. The most active compounds were also evaluated for their effects on cancer cell lines.

MicroRNA networks in FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia

We report on a deregulatory activity on microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis by the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)-internal tandem duplication (ITD) in acute myeloid leukemia. FLT3-ITD provides a divergent signal for concurrent and aberrant miR-155 up-regulation and miR-126 down-regulation via a series of miRNA–protein regulatory loops interconnected through SH2-containing inositol phosphatase 1 (SHIP1)/phosphor-protein kinase B (AKT)/Sprouty related EVH1 domain containing 1 (SPRED1) signaling. This divergent input signal eventually converges and amplifies an output signal for leukemic growth.

MiR-126 and miR-155 are key microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate, respectively, hematopoietic cell quiescence and proliferation. Herein we showed that in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the biogenesis of these two miRNAs is interconnected through a network of regulatory loops driven by the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD). In fact, FLT3-ITD induces the expression of miR-155 through a noncanonical mechanism of miRNA biogenesis that implicates cytoplasmic Drosha ribonuclease III (DROSHA). In turn, miR-155 down-regulates SH2-containing inositol phosphatase 1 (SHIP1), thereby increasing phosphor-protein kinase B (AKT) that in turn serine-phosphorylates, stabilizes, and activates Sprouty related EVH1 domain containing 1 (SPRED1). Activated SPRED1 inhibits the RAN/XPO5 complex and blocks the nucleus-to-cytoplasm transport of pre-miR-126, which cannot then complete the last steps of biogenesis. The net result is aberrantly low levels of mature miR-126 that allow quiescent leukemia blasts to be recruited into the cell cycle and proliferate. Thus, miR-126 down-regulation in proliferating AML blasts is downstream of FLT3-ITD–dependent miR-155 expression that initiates a complex circuit of concatenated regulatory feedback (i.e., miR-126/SPRED1, miR-155/human dead-box protein 3 [DDX3X]) and feed-forward (i.e., miR-155/SHIP1/AKT/miR-126) regulatory loops that eventually converge into an output signal for leukemic growth.

Discovery of a novel SHIP1 agonist that promotes degradation of lipid-laden phagocytic cargo by microglia

Here, we describe the use of artificial intelligence to identify novel agonists of the SH2-containing 5′ inositol phosphatase 1 (SHIP1). One of the compounds, K306, represents the most potent agonist identified to date. We find that K306 exhibits selectivity for SHIP1 vs. the paralog enzyme SHIP2, and this activation does not require the C2 domain of SHIP1 which other known SHIP1 agonists require. Thus, K306 represents a new class of SHIP1 agonists with a novel mode of agonism. Importantly, we find that K306 can suppress induction of inflammatory cytokines and iNOS in macrophages or microglia, but not by their SHIP1-deficient counterparts. K306 also reduces TNF-α production in vivo in an LPS-induced endotoxemia assay. Finally, we show that K306 enhances phagolysosomal degradation of synaptosomes and dead neurons by microglia revealing a novel function for SHIP1 that might be exploited therapeutically in dementia.

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Discovery of a potent SHIP1 selective agonist (K306) via artificial intelligence

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SHIP1 agonism via K306 is independent of the C2 domain and increases PI(3,4)P₂ levels

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K306 reduces IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS induction in microglia and macrophages

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K306 promotes phagocytic degradation of lipid-laden but not protein cargo in microglia

If small molecules immunotherapy comes, can the prime be far behind?

Anti-cancer immunotherapy, which includes cellular immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines, has transformed the treatment strategies of several malignancies in the past decades. Immune checkpoints blockade (ICB) is the most commonly tested therapy and has the potential to induce a durable immune response in different types of cancers. However, all approved immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which are fraught with disadvantages including lack of oral bioavailability, prolonged tissue retention and poor membrane permeability. Therefore, the research focus has shifted to developing small molecule inhibitors to obviate the limitations of mAbs. Given the complexity of the tumor micro-environment (TME), the combination of ICIs with various small molecule agonists/inhibitors are currently being tested in clinical trials to improve treatment outcomes and prevent tumor recurrence. In this review, we have summarized the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of several molecular targets, along with the current status of small molecule inhibitors.

Targeting SHIP1 and SHIP2 in Cancer

Simple Summary

Phosphoinositol signaling pathways and their dysregulation have been shown to have a fundamental role in health and disease, respectively. The SH2-containing 5′ inositol phosphatases, SHIP1 and SHIP2, are regulators of the PI3K/AKT pathway that have crucial roles in cancer progression. This review aims to summarize the role of SHIP1 and SHIP2 in cancer signaling and the immune response to cancer, the discovery and use of SHIP inhibitors and agonists as possible cancer therapeutics.

Abstract

Membrane-anchored and soluble inositol phospholipid species are critical mediators of intracellular cell signaling cascades. Alterations in their normal production or degradation are implicated in the pathology of a number of disorders including cancer and pro-inflammatory conditions. The SH2-containing 5′ inositol phosphatases, SHIP1 and SHIP2, play a fundamental role in these processes by depleting PI(3,4,5)P₃, but also by producing PI(3,4)P₂ at the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. With the intent of targeting SHIP1 or SHIP2 selectively, or both paralogs simultaneously, small molecule inhibitors and agonists have been developed and tested in vitro and in vivo over the last decade in various disease models. These studies have shown promising results in various pre-clinical models of disease including cancer and tumor immunotherapy. In this review the potential use of SHIP inhibitors in cancer is discussed with particular attention to the molecular structure, binding site and efficacy of these SHIP inhibitors.

Small molecule targeting of SHIP1 and SHIP2

Modulating the activity of the Src Homology 2 (SH2) — containing Inositol 5′-Phosphatase (SHIP) enzyme family with small molecule inhibitors provides a useful and unconventional method of influencing cell signaling in the PI3K pathway. The development of small molecules that selectively target one of the SHIP paralogs (SHIP1 or SHIP2) as well as inhibitors that simultaneously target both enzymes have provided promising data linking the phosphatase activity of the SHIP enzymes to disorders and disease states that are in dire need of new therapeutic targets. These include cancer, immunotherapy, diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer's disease. In this mini-review, we will provide a brief overview of research in these areas that support targeting SHIP1, SHIP2 or both enzymes for therapeutic purposes.

Pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors promote microglia effector functions essential for CNS homeostasis

We show here that both SHIP1 (Inpp5d) and its paralog SHIP2 (Inppl1) are expressed at protein level in microglia. To examine whether targeting of SHIP paralogs might influence microglial physiology and function, we tested the capacity of SHIP1-selective, SHIP2-selective and pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors for their ability to impact on microglia proliferation, lysosomal compartment size and phagocytic function. We find that highly potent pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors can significantly increase lysosomal compartment size, and phagocytosis of dead neurons and amyloid beta (Aβ)1-42 by microglia in vitro We show that one of the more-potent and water-soluble pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors, K161, can penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Consistent with this, K161 increases the capacity of CNS-resident microglia to phagocytose Aβ and apoptotic neurons following systemic administration. These findings provide the first demonstration that small molecule modulation of microglia function in vivo is feasible, and suggest that dual inhibition of the SHIP1 and 2 paralogs can provide a novel means to enhance basal microglial homeostatic functions for therapeutic purposes in Alzheimer's disease and, possibly, other types of dementia where increased microglial function could be beneficial.

Targeting SHIP-1 in Myeloid Cells Enhances Trained Immunity and Boosts Response to Infection

β-Glucan-induced trained immunity in myeloid cells leads to long-term protection against secondary infections. Although previous studies have characterized this phenomenon, strategies to boost trained immunity remain undefined. We found that β-glucan-trained macrophages from mice with a myeloid-specific deletion of the phosphatase SHIP-1 (LysMΔSHIP-1) showed enhanced proinflammatory cytokine production in response to lipopolysaccharide. Following β-glucan training, SHIP-1-deficient macrophages exhibited increased phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR targets, correlating with augmented glycolytic metabolism. Enhanced training in the absence of SHIP-1 relied on histone methylation and acetylation. Trained LysMΔSHIP-1 mice produced increased amounts of proinflammatory cytokines upon rechallenge in vivo and were better protected against Candida albicans infection compared with control littermates. Pharmacological inhibition of SHIP-1 enhanced trained immunity against Candida infection in mouse macrophages and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our data establish proof of concept for improvement of trained immunity and a strategy to achieve it by targeting SHIP-1.

The Next Generation of Immunotherapy for Cancer: Small Molecules Could Make Big Waves

After decades of intense effort, therapeutics that leverage the immune system to fight cancer have now been conclusively demonstrated to be effective. Immuno-oncology has arrived and will play a key role in the treatment of cancer for the foreseeable future. However, the search for novel methods to improve immune responses to cancer continues unabated. Toward this end, small molecules that can either reduce immune suppression in the tumor milieu or enhance activation of cytotoxic lymphocyte responses to the tumor are actively being pursued. Such novel treatment strategies might be used as monotherapies or combined with other cancer therapies to increase and broaden their efficacy. In this article, we provide an overview of small molecule immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancer. Over the next decade and beyond, these approaches could further enhance our ability to harness the immune system to combat cancer and thus become additional weapons in the oncologist's armory.

Expression of microRNA-155 in inflammatory cells modulates liver injury

MicroRNA 155 (miR-155) is involved in immune and inflammatory diseases and is associated with liver fibrosis and steatohepatitis. However, the mechanisms involved in miR-155 regulation of liver injury are largely unknown. The role of miR-155 in acute liver injury was assessed in wild-type (WT), miR-155^-/- , and miR-155^-/- mice transplanted with WT bone marrow. Additionally, miR-155 expression was evaluated in liver tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Concanavalin A, but not acetaminophen, treatment increased the expression of miR-155 in liver tissue of WT mice. Concanavalin A induced increases in cell death, liver aminotransferases, and expression of proinflammatory cytokines (chemokine [C-X-C motif] ligands 1, 5, 9, 10, and 11; chemokine [C-C motif] ligands 2 and 20; and intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1) in miR-155^-/- compared to WT mice. Importantly, these animals showed a significant decrease in cluster of differentiation 4-positive/chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3-positive and forkhead box p3-positive cell recruitment but no changes in other inflammatory cell populations. Mechanistically, miR-155-deficient regulatory T cells showed increased SH2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase 1 expression, a known target of miR-155. Inhibition of SH2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase 1 in miR-155^-/- mice restored forkhead box p3 recruitment and reduced liver cytokine expression. Transplantation of bone marrow from WT animals into miR-155^-/- mice partially reversed the effect of concanavalin A on miR-155^-/- mice as assessed by proinflammatory cytokines and cell death protein expression. Patients with autoimmune hepatitis showed a marked increase in miR-155 expression in the liver but reduced expression of miR-155 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

CONCLUSION

miR-155 expression is altered in both liver tissue and circulating inflammatory cells during liver injury, thus regulating inflammatory cell recruitment and liver damage; these results suggest that maintaining miR-155 expression in inflammatory cells might be a potential strategy to modulate liver injury. (Hepatology 2018).

Hurdles Associated with the Translational Use of Genetically Modified Cells

Purpose of Review

Recent advancements in the use of genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and the emergent use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy has highlighted issues associated with the use of genetically engineered cellular products. This review explores some of the challenges linked with translating the use of genetically modified cells.

Recent Findings

The use of genetically modified HSCs for ADA-SCID now has European approval and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of CAR-T cells for relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Current good manufacturing processes have now been developed for the collection, expansion, storage, modification, and administration of genetically modified cells.

Summary

Genetically engineered cells can be used for several therapeutic purposes. However, significant challenges remain in making these cellular therapeutics readily available. A better understanding of this technology along with improvements in the manufacturing process is allowing the translation process to become more standardized.

s-SHIP expression identifies a subset of murine basal prostate cells as neonatal stem cells

Isolation of prostate stem cells (PSCs) is crucial for understanding their biology during normal development and tumorigenesis. In this aim, we used a transgenic mouse model expressing GFP from the stem cell-specific s-SHIP promoter to mark putative stem cells during postnatal prostate development. Here we show that cells identified by GFP expression are present transiently during early prostate development and localize to the basal cell layer of the epithelium. These prostate GFP+ cells are a subpopulation of the Lin- CD24+ Sca-1+ CD49f+ cells and are capable of self-renewal together with enhanced growth potential in sphere-forming assay in vitro, a phenotype consistent with that of a PSC population. Transplantation assays of prostate GFP+ cells demonstrate reconstitution of prostate ducts containing both basal and luminal cells in renal grafts. Altogether, these results demonstrate that s-SHIP promoter expression is a new marker for neonatal basal prostate cells exhibiting stem cell properties that enables PSCs in situ identification and isolation via a single consistent parameter. Transcriptional profiling of these GFP+ neonatal stem cells showed an increased expression of several components of the Wnt signaling pathway. It also identified stem cell regulators with potential applications for further analyses of normal and cancer stem cells.

Dual enhancement of T and NK cell function by pulsatile inhibition of SHIP1 improves antitumor immunity and survival

The success of immunotherapy in some cancer patients has revealed the profound capacity for cytotoxic lymphocytes to eradicate malignancies. Various immunotherapies work by blocking key checkpoint proteins that suppress immune cell activity. The phosphatase SHIP1 (SH2-containing inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase) limits signaling from receptors that activate natural killer (NK) cells and T cells. However, unexpectedly, genetic ablation studies have shown that the effector functions of SHIP1-deficient NK and T cells are compromised in vivo. Because chronic activation of immune cells renders them less responsive to activating signals (a host mechanism to avoid autoimmunity), we hypothesized that the failure of SHIP1 inhibition to induce antitumor immunity in those studies was caused by the permanence of genetic ablation. Accordingly, we found that reversible and pulsatile inhibition of SHIP1 with 3-α-aminocholestane (3AC; "SHIPi") increased the antitumor response of NK and CD8⁺ T cells in vitro and in vivo. Transient SHIP1 inhibition in mouse models of lymphoma and colon cancer improved the median and long-term tumor-free survival rates. Adoptive transfer assays showed evidence of immunological memory to the tumor in hematolymphoid cells from SHIPi-treated, long-term surviving mice. The findings suggest that a pulsatile regimen of SHIP1 inhibition might be an effective immunotherapy in some cancer patients.

A small-molecule inhibitor of SHIP1 reverses age- and diet-associated obesity and metabolic syndrome

Low-grade chronic inflammation is a key etiological phenomenon responsible for the initiation and perpetuation of obesity and diabetes. Novel therapeutic approaches that can specifically target inflammatory pathways are needed to avert this looming epidemic of metabolic disorders. Genetic and chemical inhibition of SH2-containing inositol 5' phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) has been associated with systemic expansion of immunoregulatory cells that promote a lean-body state; however, SHIP1 function in immunometabolism has never been assessed. This led us to investigate the role of SHIP1 in metabolic disorders during excess caloric intake in mice. Using a small-molecule inhibitor of SHIP1 (SHIPi), here we show that SHIPi treatment in mice significantly reduces body weight and fat content, improves control of blood glucose and insulin sensitivity, and increases energy expenditure, despite continued consumption of a high-fat diet. Additionally, SHIPi reduces age-associated fat in mice. We found that SHIPi treatment reverses diet-associated obesity by attenuating inflammation in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT). SHIPi treatment increases IL-4-producing eosinophils in VAT and consequently increases both alternatively activated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. In addition, SHIPi decreases the number of IFN-γ-producing T cells and NK cells in VAT. Thus, SHIPi represents an approach that permits control of obesity and diet-induced metabolic syndrome without apparent toxicity.

Synthesis and initial evaluation of quinoline-based inhibitors of the SH2-containing inositol 5'-phosphatase (SHIP)

Recently, inhibition of the SH2-containing inositol 5'-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) has become an attractive strategy for facilitating engraftment of MHC-I mismatched bone marrow grafts, increasing the number of adult stem cells in vivo, and inducing mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells. Utilizing high-throughput screening, two quinoline small molecules (NSC13480 and NSC305787) that inhibit SHIP1 enzymatic activity were discovered. New syntheses of these inhibitors have been developed which verified the relative stereochemistry of these structures. Utilizing this synthetic route, some analogs of these quinolines have been prepared and tested for their ability to inhibit SHIP. These structure activity studies determined that an amine tethered to the quinoline core is required for SHIP inhibition. SHIP inhibition may explain the antitumor effects of similar quinoline amino alcohols and provides an impetus for further synthetic studies in this class of compounds.

SHIP-1 Couples to the Dectin-1 hemITAM and Selectively Modulates Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Dendritic Cells in Response to Candida albicans

Dectin-1 (Clec7a) is a paradigmatic C-type lectin receptor that binds Syk through a hemITAM motif and couples sensing of pathogens such as fungi to induction of innate responses. Dectin-1 engagement triggers a plethora of activating events, but little is known about the modulation of such pathways. Trying to define a more precise picture of early Dectin-1 signaling, we explored the interactome of the intracellular tail of the receptor in mouse dendritic cells. We found unexpected binding of SHIP-1 phosphatase to the phosphorylated hemITAM. SHIP-1 colocalized with Dectin-1 during phagocytosis of zymosan in a hemITAM-dependent fashion. Moreover, endogenous SHIP-1 relocated to live or heat-killed Candida albicans-containing phagosomes in a Dectin-1-dependent manner in GM-CSF-derived bone marrow cells (GM-BM). However, SHIP-1 absence in GM-BM did not affect activation of MAPK or production of cytokines and readouts dependent on NF-κB and NFAT. Notably, ROS production was enhanced in SHIP-1-deficient GM-BM treated with heat-killed C. albicans, live C. albicans, or the specific Dectin-1 agonists curdlan or whole glucan particles. This increased oxidative burst was dependent on Dectin-1, Syk, PI3K, phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1, and NADPH oxidase. GM-BM from CD11c∆SHIP-1 mice also showed increased killing activity against live C. albicans that was dependent on Dectin-1, Syk, and NADPH oxidase. These results illustrate the complexity of myeloid C-type lectin receptor signaling, and how an activating hemITAM can also couple to intracellular inositol phosphatases to modulate selected functional responses and tightly regulate processes such as ROS production that could be deleterious to the host.

SHIPi Enhances Autologous and Allogeneic Hematolymphoid Stem Cell Transplantation

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a highly effective procedure enabling long-term survival for patients with hematologic malignancy or heritable defects. Although there has been a dramatic increase in the success rate of HSCT over the last two decades, HSCT can result in serious, sometimes untreatable disease due to toxic conditioning regimens and Graft-versus-Host-Disease. Studies utilizing germline knockout mice have discovered several candidate genes that could be targeted pharmacologically to create a more favorable environment for transplant success. SHIP1 deficiency permits improved engraftment of hematopoietic stem-progenitor cells (HS-PCs) and produces an immunosuppressive microenvironment ideal for incoming allogeneic grafts. The recent development of small molecule SHIP1 inhibitors has opened a different therapeutic approach by creating transient SHIP1-deficiency. Here we show that SHIP1 inhibition (SHIPi) mobilizes functional HS-PC, accelerates hematologic recovery, and enhances donor HS-PC engraftment in both allogeneic and autologous transplant settings. We also observed the expansion of key cell populations known to suppress host-reactive cells formed during engraftment. Therefore, SHIPi represents a non-toxic, new therapeutic that has significant potential to improve the success and safety of therapies that utilize autologous and allogeneic HSCT.

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SHIPi facilitates HS-PC mobilization.

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SHIPi facilitates engraftment of autologous BM without myeloablation.

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SHIPi enhances engraftment of allogeneic BM without cytotoxic effects on the host.