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DGAT2 reduction and lipid dysregulation drive psoriasis development in keratinocyte-specific SPRY1-deficient mice
Ying-Ying Li, Li-Ran Ye, Ying-Zhe Cui, Fan Xu, Xi-Bei Chen, Feng-Fei Zhang, Yi Lu, Yu-Xin Zheng, Xiao-Yong Man
Ying-Ying Li, Li-Ran Ye, Ying-Zhe Cui, Fan Xu, Xi-Bei Chen, Feng-Fei Zhang, Yi Lu, Yu-Xin Zheng, Xiao-Yong Man
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Research Article Dermatology Inflammation Metabolism

DGAT2 reduction and lipid dysregulation drive psoriasis development in keratinocyte-specific SPRY1-deficient mice

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Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease characterized by abnormal keratinocyte proliferation and immune dysregulation. Altered lipid metabolism has been implicated in its pathogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we generated a keratinocyte-specific Sprouty RTK signaling antagonist 1 (SPRY1) knockout (Spry1ΔEpi) mouse model, which exhibits psoriasis-like symptoms. Using both psoriasis patient samples and Spry1ΔEpi mice, we investigated the role of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) in psoriasis. Our results show that DGAT2 expression was reduced and glyceride metabolism was disrupted in psoriatic lesions in both patients with psoriasis and Spry1ΔEpi mice. Lipidomic analysis revealed significant alterations in glycerides, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and fatty acids in Spry1ΔEpi mice. At the cellular level, DGAT2 downregulation and lipid dysregulation enhanced TLR3-mediated inflammatory signaling in keratinocytes. Furthermore, increased DGAT2 secretion from keratinocytes promoted CD8+ T cell activation, proliferation, and survival, amplifying psoriatic inflammation. These findings highlight the role of DGAT2 and lipid metabolism in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and reveal their interaction with immune responses in psoriasis.

Authors

Ying-Ying Li, Li-Ran Ye, Ying-Zhe Cui, Fan Xu, Xi-Bei Chen, Feng-Fei Zhang, Yi Lu, Yu-Xin Zheng, Xiao-Yong Man

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Figure 3

SPRY1 is associated with DGAT2 expression and stability in keratinocytes.

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SPRY1 is associated with DGAT2 expression and stability in keratinocytes...
(A) Two main pathways in glyceride metabolism. (B) Heatmap showing differential expression of glyceride metabolism–related genes in Spry1ΔEpi and WT mice. (C) RNA sequencing analysis verifying reduced DGAT2 expression in epidermis of Spry1ΔEpi compared with WT mice. n = 3 mice per genotype. (D) Single-cell RNA sequencing showing DGAT2 expression across various cell populations in Spry1ΔEpi mice. (E) Western blot showing decreased DGAT2 expression in epidermis from Spry1ΔEpi compared with WT mice. (F) Western blot analysis showing reduced DGAT2 expression following SPRY1 deletion in keratinocytes. (G) Co-immunoprecipitation assay demonstrating a direct interaction between SPRY1 and DGAT2 in mouse keratinocytes. (H) Western blot analysis showing accelerated degradation of DGAT2 protein upon SPRY1 knockdown, assessed over time following cycloheximide treatment to inhibit new protein synthesis. (I) Molecular modeling using AlphaFold3 predicts a stable interaction interface between SPRY1 (green) and DGAT2 (blue), with hydrogen bonds between specific residues of the 2 proteins. The magnified view highlights hydrogen bonds supporting the interaction. For Western blotting, 20 μg of protein is loaded per well. n = 4 samples per group. Two-tailed Student’s t test was performed. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.

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