1. UNC93B1 variants underlie TLR7-dependent autoimmunity.
- Author
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Wolf C, Lim EL, Mokhtari M, Kind B, Odainic A, Lara-Villacanas E, Koss S, Mages S, Menzel K, Engel K, Dückers G, Bernbeck B, Schneider DT, Siepermann K, Niehues T, Goetzke CC, Durek P, Minden K, Dörner T, Stittrich A, Szelinski F, Guerra GM, Massoud M, Bieringer M, de Oliveira Mann CC, Beltrán E, Kallinich T, Mashreghi MF, Schmidt SV, Latz E, Klughammer J, Majer O, and Lee-Kirsch MA
- Subjects
- Mice, Animals, Humans, Autoimmunity genetics, Toll-Like Receptor 9 metabolism, Toll-Like Receptor 8, Toll-Like Receptor 3 metabolism, Membrane Transport Proteins, Toll-Like Receptor 7 genetics, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic genetics
- Abstract
UNC93B1 is critical for trafficking and function of nucleic acid-sensing Toll-like receptors (TLRs) TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, which are essential for antiviral immunity. Overactive TLR7 signaling induced by recognition of self-nucleic acids has been implicated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we report UNC93B1 variants (E92G and R336L) in four patients with early-onset SLE. Patient cells or mouse macrophages carrying the UNC93B1 variants produced high amounts of TNF-α and IL-6 and upon stimulation with TLR7/TLR8 agonist, but not with TLR3 or TLR9 agonists. E92G causes UNC93B1 protein instability and reduced interaction with TLR7, leading to selective TLR7 hyperactivation with constitutive type I IFN signaling. Thus, UNC93B1 regulates TLR subtype-specific mechanisms of ligand recognition. Our findings establish a pivotal role for UNC93B1 in TLR7-dependent autoimmunity and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting TLR7 in SLE.
- Published
- 2024
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