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Virginia Tech

Identification and Characterization of LYSMD3, A Novel Epithelial Cell Pattern Recognition Receptor for Chitin

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

LysM-domain containing (LysMD) proteins are widespread in nature and associated with host-pathogen interactions, often-binding peptidoglycan and chitin. However, the functions of mammalian LysMD proteins have not been fully defined. Chitin, a major component of fungal cell walls, has been associated with allergic disorders such as asthma. However, chitin recognition by mammals remains enigmatic at best. The principal receptor(s) on epithelial cells for chitin recognition remain to be determined. In this study, we demonstrate that LYSMD3 is expressed on the surface of human airway epithelial cells. Interestingly, LYSMD3 is able to bind chitin and β-glucan as well as fungal spores. Knockdown and knockout of LYSMD3 markedly impaired chitin and fungi-induced inflammatory cytokine production in lung epithelial cells. Antagonization of LYSMD3 ectodomain by soluble LYSMD3 protein, multiple ligands, or antibody against LYSMD3 all significantly blocked chitin signaling. Taken together our study identifies LYSMD3 as a mammalian pattern recognition receptor (PRR) for chitin and is required for the epithelial inflammatory response to chitin and fungal spores.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Philosophy
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Biological Sciences
Department dc:contributor.department
Biological Sciences
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2019

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • He, Xin
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Lawrence, Christopher B.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Jones, Caroline N.
  • Buechner-Maxwell, Virginia A.
  • Li, Liwu

Subjects

dc:subject × 7

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:22673
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/102956

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

He, Xin. Identification and Characterization of LYSMD3, A Novel Epithelial Cell Pattern Recognition Receptor for Chitin. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/102956