Loss of the lupus autoantigen Ro52/Trim21 induces tissue inflammation and systemic autoimmunity by disregulating the IL-23-Th17 pathway.
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.
Espinosa
Alexander
A
Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm SE-171 77, Sweden.
Dardalhon
Valerie
V
Brauner
Susanna
S
Ambrosi
Aurelie
A
Higgs
Rowan
R
Quintana
Fransisco J
FJ
Sjöstrand
Maria
M
Eloranta
Maija-Leena
ML
Ní Gabhann
Joan
J
Winqvist
Ola
O
Sundelin
Birgitta
B
Jefferies
Caroline A
CA
Rozell
Björn
B
Kuchroo
Vijay K
VK
Wahren-Herlenius
Marie
M
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
D016207:Cytokines; D017931:DNA Primers; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007372:Interferons; D053759:Interleukin-23; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D000099207:SS-A Antigen