Psoriasis-like skin disorder in transgenic mice expressing a RIG-I Singleton–Merten syndrome variant

• Published in: International immunology 2021-04, Vol.33 (4), p.211-224
• Main Authors: Abu Tayeh, Ahmed, Funabiki, Masahide, Shimizu, Shota, Satoh, Saya, Sumin, Lee, Iwakura, Yoichiro, Kato, Hiroki, Fujita, Takashi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Aortic Diseases - genetics; DEAD Box Protein 58 - genetics; DEAD Box Protein 58 - metabolism; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia - genetics; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; Epidermis - pathology; Hyperplasia - genetics; Hyperplasia - pathology; Interferon Type I - immunology; Interleukin-17 - metabolism; Interleukin-23 Subunit p19 - metabolism; Janus Kinase Inhibitors - pharmacology; Janus Kinases - antagonists & inhibitors; Keratinocytes - cytology; Keratinocytes - pathology; Metacarpus - abnormalities; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Muscular Diseases - genetics; Neutrophils - immunology; Odontodysplasia - genetics; Osteoporosis - genetics; Piperidines - pharmacology; Psoriasis - genetics; Psoriasis - pathology; Pyrimidines - pharmacology; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Vascular Calcification - genetics
• ISSN: 1460-2377; 1460-2377
• DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxaa071

How constitutive RIG-I activation causes psoriasis Abstract Mutations in DDX58 (DExD/H-box helicase 58), which encodes the cytoplasmic RNA sensor retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), were recently identified in the rare autoimmune disease Singleton–Merten syndrome (SMS). We report the spontaneous development of psoriasis-like skin lesions as an SMS-like symptom in transgenic mice harboring one of the RIG-I SMS variants, E373A. Histological analysis revealed typical characteristics of psoriasis, including the abnormal proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes leading to epidermal hyperplasia, and infiltrates consisting of neutrophils, dendritic cells and T cells. Levels of the IL-23/IL-17 immune axis cytokines were high in the skin lesions. Rag2−/− transgenic mice showed partial amelioration of the phenotype, with down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-17A, suggesting the importance of lymphocytes for the pathogenesis similar to that of human psoriasis. Of note, IL-17A deficiency abolished the skin phenotype, and treatment using the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib not only prevented onset, but also improved the skin manifestations even after onset. Our study provides further evidence for the involvement of RIG-I activation in the onset and progression of psoriasis via type I interferon signaling and the IL-23/IL-17 axis.