DOES LYSRS-AP4A-MITF SIGNALLING PATHWAY PLAY A ROLE IN ASTHMA?

Abstract

LysRS-Ap4A-MITF is a novel signaling pathway that has been found in mast cells. The activation of the pathway is induced by cross-linking of IgE and FcεRI expressed on the surface of mast cells. Following the activation, MITF as a transcription factor is able to facilitate the expression of genes encoding mast cell proteases. The production of these biological mediators from mast cells would lead to various inflammatory diseases including asthma. To elucidate the potential role of LysRS-MITF-Ap4A signaling pathway in pathophysiology of asthma, LysRS siRNA to block the activity of the pathway and HDM-induced mouse asthma model were employed in the study. The bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluid was collected from the lungs, total and eosinophil cell numbers were enumerated and levels of various cytokines were measured. Through the project, we wish to validate whether interruption of LysRS-Ap4A-MITF activity via knocking down LysRS plays a role in experimental allergic airway inflammation.