| First Author | Xiao N | Year | 2019 |
| Journal | J Autoimmun | Volume | 100 |
| Pages | 84-94 | PubMed ID | 30872080 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:295560 | Mgi Id | MGI:6453965 |
| Doi | 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.03.001 | Citation | Xiao N, et al. (2019) cGAS activation causes lupus-like autoimmune disorders in a TREX1 mutant mouse model. J Autoimmun 100:84-94 |
| abstractText | TREX1 encodes a major cellular DNA exonuclease. Mutations of this gene in human cause cellular accumulation of DNA that triggers autoimmune diseases including Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome (AGS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We created a lupus mouse model by engineering a D18N mutation in the Trex1 gene which inactivates the enzyme and has been found in human patients with lupus-like disorders. The Trex1(D18N/D18N) mice exhibited systemic inflammation that consistently recapitulates many characteristics of human AGS and SLE. Importantly, ablation of cGas gene in the Trex1(D18N/D18N) mice rescued the lethality and all detectable pathological phenotypes, including multi-organ inflammation, interferon stimulated gene induction, autoantibody production and aberrant T-cell activation. These results indicate that cGAS is a key mediator in the autoimmune disease associated with defective TREX1 function, providing additional insights into disease pathogenesis and guidance to the development of therapeutics for human systemic autoimmune disorders. |
