Eosinophil-selective binding and proapoptotic effect in vitro of a synthetic Siglec-8 ligand, polymeric 6'-sulfated sialyl Lewis x.

The lectin Siglec-8 (sialic acid-binding, immunoglobulin-like lectin), which is selectively expressed on eosinophil surfaces and regulates eosinophil survival, preferentially binds to the glycan 6'-sulfo-sialyl Lewis X (6'-sulfo-sLe(x)). Antibody engagement of Siglec-8 on eosinophils causes their apoptosis, suggesting that engagement of Siglec-8 with its natural glycan ligands in vivo may control allergic inflammation. We report that a soluble synthetic polymer displaying 6'-sulfo-sLe(x) glycan selectively binds to human eosinophils and human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing Siglec-8. Binding was inhibited by anti-Siglec-8 antibody. In whole blood, eosinophils were the only leukocyte subtype to detectably bind polymeric 6'-sulfo-sLe(x). Interleukin-5-primed eosinophils underwent apoptosis when incubated with either anti-Siglec-8 monoclonal antibody or polymeric 6'-sulfo-sLe(x), although the glycan polymer was less effective. These data demonstrate that a soluble, multivalent glycan selectively binds to human eosinophils and induces their apoptosis in vitro and provide proof-of-concept that such a reagent could be used to selectively target eosinophils.