Mechanisms and consequences of Siglec-8 internalization and toxic payload delivery in human eosinophils

Abstract

Abstract Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec)-8 is a cell surface protein expressed selectively on human eosinophils, mast cells, and basophils that induces eosinophil apoptosis and inhibits mast cell mediator release. Hence, Siglec-8 is an ideal target for diseases involving these cells. However, the effective delivery of therapeutic agents to these cells through Siglec-8 requires an understanding of the dynamics of Siglec-8 surface expression, which have not been elucidated. We observed by flow cytometry that Siglec-8 endocytosis in eosinophils proceeds slowly and plateaus at 80% loss in response to antibody or polyvalent synthetic ligand. Surprisingly, based on sensitivity to pharmacological inhibition, Siglec-8 appears to be internalized in both a clathrin- and lipid raft-dependent manner. Actin cytoskeletal rearrangement and tyrosine kinase and PKC activity are necessary for endocytosis. Interestingly, Siglec-8 is shuttled to the cell surface in a manner dependent on actin rearrangement, microtubule polymerization, and the activities of tyrosine kinases, dynamin, and PI3K. Neither process is significantly affected by inhibitors of Src family kinases or PTPs. Internalized Siglec-8 localizes to the lysosome, and sialidase treatment of eosinophils enhances ligand binding, indicating the presence of masking sialylated cis ligands on the cell surface. Finally, conjugating the ribosome-inactivating protein saporin to an anti-Siglec-8 mAb enhanced cell death induction in unstimulated eosinophils. The dynamics of Siglec-8 surface expression therefore appear to be suitable for sustained targeting and may deliver drugs to effectively treat diseases involving these cell types, including malignancies.