Discovery of an agonistic Siglec-6 antibody that inhibits and reduces human mast cells

Abstract

Mast cells (MC) are key drivers of allergic and inflammatory diseases. Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec)-6 is an immunoregulatory receptor found on MCs. While it is recognized that engaging Siglecs with antibodies mediates inhibition across immune cells, the mechanisms that govern this agonism are not understood. Here we generated Siglec-6 mAb clones (AK01 to AK18) to better understand Siglec-6-mediated agonism. Siglec-6 mAbs displayed epitope-dependent receptor internalization and inhibitory activity. We identified a Siglec-6 mAb (AK04) that required Fc-mediated interaction for receptor internalization and induced inhibition and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis against MCs. AK04-mediated MC inhibition required Siglec-6 immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) and ITIM-like domains and was associated with receptor cluster formation containing inhibitory phosphatases. Treatment of humanized mice with AK04 inhibited systemic anaphylaxis with a single dose and reduced MCs with chronic dosing. Our findings suggest Siglec-6 activity is epitope dependent and highlight an agonistic Siglec-6 mAb as a potential therapeutic approach in allergic disease.