title: Inflammation-responsive transcription factor SAF-1 activity is linked to the development of amyloid A amyloidosis.
abstract: Abundantly expressed serum amyloid A (SAA) protein under chronic inflammatory conditions gives rise to insoluble aggregates of SAA derivatives in multiple organs resulting in reactive amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis, a consequence of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, familial Mediterranean fever, and Castleman's disease. An inflammation-responsive transcription factor, SAF (for SAA activating factor), has been implicated in the sustained expression of amyloidogenic SAA under chronic inflammatory conditions. However, its role in the pathogenesis of AA amyloidosis has thus far remained obscure. In this paper we have shown that SAF-1, a major member of the SAF family, is abundantly present in human AA amyloidosis patients. To assess whether SAF-1 is directly linked to the pathogenesis of AA amyloidosis, we have developed a SAF-1 transgenic mouse model. SAF-1-overexpressing mice spontaneously developed AA amyloidosis at the age of 14 mo or older. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the nature of the amyloid deposits as an AA type derived from amyloidogenic SAA1. Furthermore, SAF-1 transgenic mice rapidly developed severe AA amyloidosis in response to azocasein injection, indicating increased susceptibility to inflammation. Also, during inflammation SAF-1 transgenic mice exhibited a prolonged acute phase response, leading to an extended period of SAA synthesis. Together, these results provide direct evidence that SAF-1 plays a key role in the development of AA amyloidosis, a consequence of chronic inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, 126A Connaway Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. rayal@missouri.edu
authors.forename: Alpana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: Arvind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shakya
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Merrill D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: Bimal K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Ray
mesh_terms: D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D002364:Caseins / Q000633:toxicity; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002364:Caseins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein; D014157:Transcription Factors; C026018:azocasein; C076035:c-MYC-associated zinc finger protein