B-Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) activation exerts specific proinflammatory effects in normal human keratinocytes and is preferentially expressed in inflammatory skin pathologies

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Vassilia Ismini Alexaki - , University of Crete (Author)
  • Vassiliki Pelekanou - , University of Crete (Author)
  • George Notas - , University of Crete (Author)
  • Maria Venihaki - , University of Crete (Author)
  • Marilena Kampa - , University of Crete (Author)
  • Valérie Dessirier - , INSERM - Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université Paris Cité (Author)
  • Sanaa Sabour-Alaoui - , INSERM - Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université Paris Cité (Author)
  • Efstathios N. Stathopoulos - , University of Crete (Author)
  • Andreas Tsapis - , INSERM - Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université Paris Cité (Author)
  • Elias Castanas - , University of Crete (Author)

Abstract

TNFα is known to be expressed in human skin, regulating immune-related responses. Here we report thathumannormal skin keratinocytes express themembersof the TNF super family members A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL; TNFSF13), B cell-activating factor (BAFF; TNFSF13B), and their receptors, B cell maturation antigen (BCMA; TNFRSF17) and transmembrane activator, calcium-modulator, and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI; TNFRSF13B), in a distinct spatial pattern. Our data show a differential expression of these molecules within epidermal layers and skin appendages, whereas the BAFF-specific receptor BAFFR (TNFRSF13C) is absent. Importantly, APRIL and BCMA but not BAFF or TACI are up-regulated in inflammatory skin lesions of psoriasis and squamous cell carcinomas. To explore the functional significance of this system in the skin, we assayed these receptors and ligands in cultured primary keratinocytes and HaCaT cells. We show that both cell types express BAFF, APRIL, BCMA, and TACI. Furthermore, APRIL and/or BAFF trigger nuclear factor-κB activation and IL-6 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF) expression through functional BCMA receptors, an activation inhibited by anti-BCMA short hairpin RNA. However, BAFF and/or APRIL do not induce IL-8 or TNFα production. Our data advance BCMAas an inflammation-related TNFSFRmemberin keratinocytes, of potential importance in the management of inflammatory skin conditions.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)739-749
Number of pages11
JournalEndocrinology
Volume153
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2012
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 22166983

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas