The RNase MCPIP3 promotes skin inflammation by orchestrating myeloid cytokine response

Nat Commun. 2021 Jul 2;12(1):4105. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-24352-w.

Abstract

CCCH zinc finger proteins resolve immune responses by degrading the mRNAs of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin (IL)-6. Here we report that one such family member, monocyte chemotactic protein-induced protein 3 (MCPIP3, also named ZC3H12C or Regnase-3), promotes skin inflammation by simultaneously enhancing TNF in macrophages and repressing IL-6 in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). MCPIP3 is positively associated with psoriasis pathogenesis, and highly expressed by macrophages and pDCs. MCPIP3-deficient macrophages produce less TNF and IL-12p40. However, MCPIP3-deficient pDCs secrete significantly more IL-6. This enhanced intradermal IL-6 may alleviate imiquimod-induced skin inflammation. As a result, MCPIP3-deficient mice are protected from imiquimod-induced psoriasiform lesions. Furthermore, early exposure to pDC-derived IL-6 suppresses macrophage-derived TNF and IL-12p40. Mechanistically, MCPIP3 could directly degrade mRNAs of IL-6, Regnase-1, and IκBζ. In turn, Regnase-1 could degrade MCPIP3 mRNAs. Our study identifies a critical post-transcriptional mechanism that synchronizes myeloid cytokine secretion to initiate autoimmune skin inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Cells
  • Dermatitis / metabolism*
  • Endoribonucleases / deficiency
  • Endoribonucleases / genetics
  • Endoribonucleases / metabolism*
  • Epigenomics
  • Humans
  • Imiquimod
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myeloid Cells / metabolism*
  • Psoriasis
  • Ribonucleases / deficiency
  • Ribonucleases / genetics
  • Ribonucleases / metabolism*
  • Skin / pathology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Ccl2 protein, mouse
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-6
  • Nfkbiz protein, mouse
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Endoribonucleases
  • Ribonucleases
  • Zc3h12c protein, mouse
  • Imiquimod