Overexpression of the Flii gene increases dermal–epidermal blistering in an autoimmune ColVII mouse model of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita
Copyright policy )Overexpression of the Flii gene increases dermal–epidermal blistering in an autoimmune ColVII mouse model of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita
Abstract Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a severe genetic skin fragility syndrome characterized by blister formation. The molecular basis of EB is still largely unknown and wound healing in patients suffering from EB remains a major challenge to their survival. Our previous studies have identified the actin remodelling protein Flightless I (Flii) as an important mediator of wound repair. Here we identify Flii as a novel target involved in skin blistering. Flii expression was significantly elevated in 30 patients with EB, most prominently in patients with recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB) who have defects in production of type VII collagen (ColVII). Using an autoimmune ColVII murine model of EB acquisita (EBA) and an immunocompetent‐ColVII‐hypomorphic genetic mouse model of RDEB together with murine Flii alleles, we investigated the contribution of Flii to EB. Overexpression of Flii produced severe blistering post‐induction of EBA, while decreased Flii reduced blister severity, elevated integrin expression, and improved ColVII production. Flii +/− blistered skin showed reduced α‐SMA, TGF‐β1, and Smad 2/3 expression, suggesting that decreasing Flii may affect fibrosis. In support of this, Flii ‐deficient fibroblasts from EBA mice were less able to contract collagen gels in vitro ; however, addition of TGF‐β1 restored collagen contraction, suggesting an interplay between Flii and TGF‐β1. Elevated Flii gene and protein expression was further observed in the blisters of ColVII hypomorphic mice, a murine model of RDEB, suggesting that reducing Flii in blistered skin could be a potential new approach for treating patients with EB. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- University of Adelaide Australia
- University of South Australia Australia
- Australian National University Australia
- University of Lübeck Germany
- University Medical Center Freiburg Germany
TGF-β, Integrins, Collagen Type VII, integrin, cell prolifer epidermolysis bullosa, Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear, transforming growth factor beta1, wound healing, Mice, Transgenic, animal cell, Flightless, Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita, Autoimmune Diseases, Mice, type VII collagen, collagen type 7, 616, Cell Adhesion, Animals, Humans, epidermolysis bullosa, Keywords: actin, Cells, Cultured, Cell Proliferation, Smad3 protein, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Smad2 protein, protein flightless 1, Microfilament Proteins, allele, article, cell adhesion, Cell Differentiation, Fibroblasts, unclassified drug, cell differentiation, Cytoskeletal Proteins, Disease Models, Animal, TGF-ß, Gene Expression Regulation, flightless, blister, alpha smooth muscle actin, Flii, Carrier Proteins
TGF-β, Integrins, Collagen Type VII, integrin, cell prolifer epidermolysis bullosa, Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear, transforming growth factor beta1, wound healing, Mice, Transgenic, animal cell, Flightless, Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita, Autoimmune Diseases, Mice, type VII collagen, collagen type 7, 616, Cell Adhesion, Animals, Humans, epidermolysis bullosa, Keywords: actin, Cells, Cultured, Cell Proliferation, Smad3 protein, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Smad2 protein, protein flightless 1, Microfilament Proteins, allele, article, cell adhesion, Cell Differentiation, Fibroblasts, unclassified drug, cell differentiation, Cytoskeletal Proteins, Disease Models, Animal, TGF-ß, Gene Expression Regulation, flightless, blister, alpha smooth muscle actin, Flii, Carrier Proteins
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