Conditional KCa3.1-transgene induction in murine skin produces pruritic eczematous dermatitis with severe epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis

PLoS One. 2020 Mar 9;15(3):e0222619. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222619. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Ion channels have recently attracted attention as potential mediators of skin disease. Here, we explored the consequences of genetically encoded induction of the cell volume-regulating Ca2+-activated KCa3.1 channel (Kcnn4) for murine epidermal homeostasis. Doxycycline-treated mice harboring the KCa3.1+-transgene under the control of the reverse tetracycline-sensitive transactivator (rtTA) showed 800-fold channel overexpression above basal levels in the skin and solid KCa3.1-currents in keratinocytes. This overexpression resulted in epidermal spongiosis, progressive epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis, itch and ulcers. The condition was accompanied by production of the pro-proliferative and pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-β1 (60-fold), IL-6 (33-fold), and TNFα (26-fold) in the skin. Treatment of mice with the KCa3.1-selective blocker, Senicapoc, significantly suppressed spongiosis and hyperplasia, as well as induction of IL-β1 (-88%) and IL-6 (-90%). In conclusion, KCa3.1-induction in the epidermis caused expression of pro-proliferative cytokines leading to spongiosis, hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis. This skin condition resembles pathological features of eczematous dermatitis and identifies KCa3.1 as a regulator of epidermal homeostasis and spongiosis, and as a potential therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetamides / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Doxycycline / pharmacology
  • Eczema / drug therapy
  • Eczema / genetics*
  • Epidermis / pathology*
  • Female
  • Homeostasis / genetics
  • Hyperplasia / drug therapy
  • Hyperplasia / genetics
  • Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / genetics*
  • Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / metabolism*
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Keratosis / drug therapy
  • Keratosis / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Skin / metabolism*
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Transgenes*
  • Trityl Compounds / pharmacology

Substances

  • Acetamides
  • Cytokines
  • Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels
  • Kcnn4 protein, mouse
  • Trans-Activators
  • Trityl Compounds
  • Doxycycline
  • senicapoc