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FUT6 deficiency compromises basophil function by selectively abrogating their sialyl-Lewis x expression.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

San Luis, Boris 
Yusof, Nurhashikin 
Andiappan, Anand Kumar  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8442-1544

Abstract

Sialyl-Lewis x (sLex, CD15s) is a tetra-saccharide on the surface of leukocytes required for E-selectin-mediated rolling, a prerequisite for leukocytes to migrate out of the blood vessels. Here we show using flow cytometry that sLex expression on basophils and mast cell progenitors depends on fucosyltransferase 6 (FUT6). Using genetic association data analysis and qPCR, the cell type-specific defect was associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FUT6 gene region (tagged by rs17855739 and rs778798), affecting coding sequence and/or expression level of the mRNA. Heterozygous individuals with one functional FUT6 gene harbor a mixed population of sLex+ and sLex- basophils, a phenomenon caused by random monoallelic expression (RME). Microfluidic assay demonstrated FUT6-deficient basophils rolling on E-selectin is severely impaired. FUT6 null alleles carriers exhibit elevated blood basophil counts and a reduced itch sensitivity against insect bites. FUT6-deficiency thus dampens the basophil-mediated allergic response in the periphery, evident also in lower IgE titers and reduced eosinophil counts.

Description

Keywords

Base Sequence, Basophils, Cells, Cultured, Cohort Studies, E-Selectin, Fucosyltransferases, Gene Expression, Gene Expression Profiling, Humans, Leukocyte Count, Leukocyte Rolling, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid, Sialyl Lewis X Antigen

Journal Title

Commun Biol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2399-3642
2399-3642

Volume Title

4

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC