Characterization of Interferon Kappa as a Novel Target in Cutaneous Lupus

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ABSTRACT Type I interferons (IFNs) are increased in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) lesions and contribute to disease pathogenesis, yet skin-intrinsic sources of type I IFN have not been explored. Keratinocytes are the primary source of IFN kappa (κ), a type I IFN that is a genetic risk factor for cutaneous lupus, significantly upregulated in CLE skin lesions, and is produced more robustly from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) vs. control keratinocytes. Importantly, neutralization of IFNκ signaling eliminates hyper-inflammatory responses to ultraviolet light and toll-like receptor agonists in SLE keratinocytes. Thus, IFNκ primes the abundant cutaneous inflammatory response in SLE. It is consequently critical to understand the regulation of IFNκ and its role in regulation of inflammatory cytokine production and recruitment of cellular infiltrates as IFNκ may prove to be a specific target for treatment or prevention of cutaneous lesions, and its specific inhibition may consequently avoid side effects from systemic blockade of other type I IFNs. The overall objective for this project is to define the mechanisms and consequences of aberrant regulation of IFNκ in SLE skin. It is hypothesized that hyper- production of IFNκ is a mechanism by which SLE keratinocytes are primed to overproduce inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and consequently increase inflammatory responses and that IFNκ will thus serve as a specific and viable target for prevention or treatment of SLE-associated skin lesions. The proposal will address this hypothesis through investigation of the following: Aim 1: Identify the mechanisms underlying increased production of IFNκ in lupus keratinocytes. Regulation of IFNκ by IFNs, STING signaling and methylation changes will be explored in control and SLE (including consideration of CLE subtypes) keratinocytes. Aim 2: Identify the mechanisms by which keratinocyte-produced IFNκ promotes inflammatory responses. Effects of IFNκ on keratinocyte IFN production, monocyte, dendritic cell, and plasmacytoid dendritic cell recruitment and activation in vitro and in vivo will be explored. Aim 3: Identify the in vivo impact of IFNκ overexpression on cutaneous inflammation and systemic autoimmunity. Characterization of cutaneous and systemic autoimmunity and response to cutaneous inflammatory stimuli will be completed in a novel mouse that overexpresses IFNκ in the epidermis. Completion of this work will support a paradigm shift in which keratinocyte-derived IFNκ is recognized as an important step for priming and persistence of a hyper-inflammatory response in SLE skin and is identified as a specific target for future treatment and prevention of SLE-associated skin lesions.