Ubiquitin and Psoriasis

University Of California, San Francisco, San Francisco CA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Project Summary/Abstract Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory, hyperproliferative disease of the skin, whose complex pathophysiology is determined by both environmental factors and genetic susceptibilities. Abnormalities in keratinocyte function, adaptive and innate immune cells, and cytokine production have been implicated in psoriasis. Human genetic studies have strongly linked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the gene TNFAIP3, also known as A20, to psoriasis susceptibility. Subsequent GWAS have replicated these associations. TNFAIP3 SNPs have also been linked to reduced A20 expression and therapeutic responses in patients. Our recent studies indicate that A20 restricts innate immune cells by regulating NF-?B signals. We have also found that mice expressing reduced amounts of A20 are susceptible to imiquimod-induced psoriasis. Hence, our central hypothesis is that reduced A20 expression leads to perturbed innate immune, cytokine, and T cell functions and increased susceptibility to psoriasis. To test this hypothesis, we propose to first determine the cellular mechanisms by which A20 regulates psoriasis susceptibility using mice lacking or reduced A20 expression in dendritic cells, T cells, and epithelial cells. As we have found that A20 is a novel ubiquitin binding and ubiquitin modifying enzyme that interacts with other ubiquitin binding proteins, we will use novel A20 knock-in mice bearing strategic point mutations as well as mice lacking key A20 binding partners to test the physiological functions of these biochemical activities. These experiments should provide comprehensive and mechanistic insights into how A20 prevents psoriasis, and provide new areas for therapeutic discovery.