title: Loss of the lupus autoantigen Ro52/Trim21 induces tissue inflammation and systemic autoimmunity by disregulating the IL-23-Th17 pathway.
abstract: Ro52/Trim21 is targeted as an autoantigen in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome. Polymorphisms in the Ro52 gene have been linked to these autoimmune conditions, but the molecular mechanism by which Ro52 may promote development of systemic autoimmune diseases has not been explored. To address this issue, we generated Ro52-null mice (Ro52(-/-)), which appear phenotypically normal if left unmanipulated. However, Ro52(-/-) mice develop severe dermatitis extending from the site of tissue injury induced by ear tags. The affected mice further develop several signs of systemic lupus with hypergammaglobulinemia, autoantibodies to DNA, proteinuria, and kidney pathology. Ro52, which was recently identified as an E3 ligase, mediates ubiquitination of several members of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family, and the Ro52-deficient mice have an enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines that are regulated by the IRF transcription factors, including cytokines involved in the Th17 pathway (interleukin [IL] 6, IL-12/IL-23p40, and IL-17). Loss of IL-23/IL-17 by genetic deletion of IL-23/p19 in the Ro52(-/-) mice conferred protection from skin disease and systemic autoimmunity. These data reveal that the lupus-associated Ro52 protein is an important negative regulator of proinflammatory cytokine production, and they provide a mechanism by which a defective Ro52 function can lead to tissue inflammation and systemic autoimmunity through the IL-23-Th17 pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm SE-171 77, Sweden.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Espinosa
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dardalhon
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brauner
authors.forename: Aurelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ambrosi
authors.forename: Rowan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Higgs
authors.forename: Fransisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Quintana
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sjöstrand
authors.forename: Maija-Leena
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Eloranta
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ní Gabhann
authors.forename: Ola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Winqvist
authors.forename: Birgitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sundelin
authors.forename: Caroline A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Jefferies
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rozell
authors.forename: Vijay K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Kuchroo
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wahren-Herlenius
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001483:Base Sequence; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D000099207:SS-A Antigen
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D017931:DNA Primers; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007372:Interferons; D053759:Interleukin-23; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D000099207:SS-A Antigen