PKN1 kinase-negative knock-in mice develop splenomegaly and leukopenia at advanced age without obvious autoimmune-like phenotypes

Sci Rep. 2019 Sep 27;9(1):13977. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-50419-2.

Abstract

Protein kinase N1 (PKN1) knockout (KO) mice spontaneously form germinal centers (GCs) and develop an autoimmune-like disease with age. Here, we investigated the function of PKN1 kinase activity in vivo using aged mice deficient in kinase activity resulting from the introduction of a point mutation (T778A) in the activation loop of the enzyme. PKN1[T778A] mice reached adulthood without external abnormalities; however, the average spleen size and weight of aged PKN1[T778A] mice increased significantly compared to aged wild type (WT) mice. Histologic examination and Southern blot analyses of spleens showed extramedullary hematopoiesis and/or lymphomagenesis in some cases, although without significantly different incidences between PKN1[T778A] and WT mice. Additionally, flow cytometry revealed increased numbers in B220+, CD3+, Gr1+ and CD193+ leukocytes in the spleen of aged PKN1[T778A] mice, whereas the number of lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes was reduced in the peripheral blood, suggesting an advanced impairment of leukocyte trafficking with age. Moreover, aged PKN1[T778A] mice showed no obvious GC formation nor autoimmune-like phenotypes, such as glomerulonephritis or increased anti-dsDNA antibody titer, in peripheral blood. Our results showing phenotypic differences between aged Pkn1-KO and PKN1[T778A] mice may provide insight into the importance of PKN1-specific kinase-independent functions in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Gene Knock-In Techniques
  • Germinal Center / metabolism
  • Leukopenia / genetics*
  • Leukopenia / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinase C / genetics*
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Splenomegaly / genetics*
  • Splenomegaly / metabolism

Substances

  • protein kinase N
  • Protein Kinase C