[HTML][HTML] AIM2 drives joint inflammation in a self-DNA triggered model of chronic polyarthritis

C Jakobs, S Perner, V Hornung - PloS one, 2015 - journals.plos.org
C Jakobs, S Perner, V Hornung
PloS one, 2015journals.plos.org
Mice lacking DNase II display a polyarthritis-like disease phenotype that is driven by
translocation of self-DNA into the cytoplasm of phagocytic cells, where it is sensed by pattern
recognition receptors. While pro-inflammatory gene expression is non-redundantly linked to
the presence of STING in these mice, the contribution of the inflammasome pathway has not
been explored. To this end, we studied the role of the DNA-sensing inflammasome receptor
AIM2 in this self-DNA driven disease model. Arthritis-prone mice lacking AIM2 displayed …
Mice lacking DNase II display a polyarthritis-like disease phenotype that is driven by translocation of self-DNA into the cytoplasm of phagocytic cells, where it is sensed by pattern recognition receptors. While pro-inflammatory gene expression is non-redundantly linked to the presence of STING in these mice, the contribution of the inflammasome pathway has not been explored. To this end, we studied the role of the DNA-sensing inflammasome receptor AIM2 in this self-DNA driven disease model. Arthritis-prone mice lacking AIM2 displayed strongly decreased signs of joint inflammation and associated histopathological findings. This was paralleled with a reduction of caspase-1 activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in diseased joints. Interestingly, systemic signs of inflammation that are associated with the lack of DNase II were not dependent on AIM2. Taken together, these data suggest a tissue-specific role for the AIM2 inflammasome as a sensor for endogenous DNA species in the course of a ligand-dependent autoinflammatory condition.
PLOS