Strong induction of AIM 2 expression in human epidermis in acute and chronic inflammatory skin conditions

HD de Koning, JGM Bergboer… - Experimental …, 2012 - Wiley Online Library
HD de Koning, JGM Bergboer, EH van den Bogaard, IMJJ van Vlijmen‐Willems…
Experimental dermatology, 2012Wiley Online Library
Abstract Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM 2) is a double‐stranded DNA receptor, and its
activation initiates an interleukin‐1 beta processing inflammasome. AIM 2 is implicated in
host defense against several pathogens, but could hypothetically also contribute to
autoinflammatory or autoimmune diseases, such as is the case for NLRP 3. Using
thoroughly characterised antibodies, we analysed AIM 2 expression in human tissues and
primary cells. A strong epidermal upregulation of AIM 2 protein expression was observed in …
Abstract
Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is a double‐stranded DNA receptor, and its activation initiates an interleukin‐1 beta processing inflammasome. AIM2 is implicated in host defense against several pathogens, but could hypothetically also contribute to autoinflammatory or autoimmune diseases, such as is the case for NLRP3. Using thoroughly characterised antibodies, we analysed AIM2 expression in human tissues and primary cells. A strong epidermal upregulation of AIM2 protein expression was observed in several acute and chronic inflammatory skin disorders, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, venous ulcera, contact dermatitis, and experimental wounds. We also found AIM2 induction by interferon‐gamma in submerged and three‐dimensional in vitro models of human epidermis. Our data highlight the dynamics of epidermal AIM2 expression, showing Langerhans cell and melanocyte‐restricted expression in normal epidermis but a pronounced induction in subpopulations of epidermal keratinocytes under inflammatory conditions.
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