Keratinocyte transglutaminase 2 promotes CCR6+ γδT-cell recruitment by upregulating CCL20 in psoriatic inflammation

Cell Death Dis. 2020 Apr 30;11(4):301. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-2495-z.

Abstract

Keratinocyte-derived cytokines and chemokines amplify psoriatic inflammation by recruiting IL-17-producing CCR6+ γδT-cells and neutrophils. The expression of these cytokines and chemokines mainly depends on NF-κB activity; however, the pathway that activates NF-κB in response to triggering factors is poorly defined. Here, we show that transglutaminase 2 (TG2), previously reported to elicit a TH17 response by increasing IL-6 expression in a mouse model of lung fibrosis, mediates the upregulation of cytokines and chemokines by activating NF-κB in imiquimod (IMQ)-treated keratinocytes. TG2-deficient mice exhibited reduced psoriatic inflammation in skin treated with IMQ but showed systemic immune responses similar to wild-type mice. Experiments in bone marrow (BM) chimeric mice revealed that TG2 is responsible for promoting psoriatic inflammation in non-BM-derived cells. In keratinocytes, IMQ treatment activated TG2, which in turn activated NF-κB signaling, leading to the upregulation of IL-6, CCL20, and CXCL8 and increased leukocyte migration, in vitro. Consequently, TG2-deficient mice showed markedly decreased CCR6+ γδT-cell and neutrophil infiltration in IMQ-treated skin. Moreover, TG2 levels were higher in psoriatic skin than in normal skin and correlated with IL-6, CXCL8, and CCL20 levels. Therefore, these results indicate that keratinocyte TG2 acts as a critical mediator in the amplification of psoriatic inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemokine CCL20 / metabolism*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2
  • Psoriasis / genetics*
  • Receptors, CCR6 / metabolism*
  • Transfection
  • Transglutaminases / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • CCL20 protein, human
  • CCR6 protein, human
  • Chemokine CCL20
  • Receptors, CCR6
  • Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2
  • Transglutaminases
  • GTP-Binding Proteins