IRGM links autoimmunity to autophagy

Parej Nath, Kautilya Kumar Jena, Subhash Mehto, Nishant Ranjan Chauhan, Rinku Sahu, Kollori Dhar, Kolapalli Srinivas, Swati Chauhan, Santosh Chauhan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

IRGM is a genetic risk factor for several autoimmune diseases. However, the mechanism of IRGM-mediated protection in autoimmunity remains undetermined. The abnormal activation of type I interferon (IFN) response is one of the significant factors in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. In our recent study, we showed that IRGM is a master suppressor of the interferon response. We found that the depletion of IRGM results in constitutively activated CGAS-STING1, DDX58/RIG-I-MAVS, and TLR3-TICAM1/TRIF signaling pathways resulting in upregulation of almost all IFN-responsive genes. Mechanistically, IRGM utilizes a two-pronged mechanism to suppress the interferon response. First, it mediates SQSTM1/p62-dependent selective macroautophagy/autophagy of nucleic acid sensor proteins, including CGAS, DDX58/RIG-I, and TLR3. Second, it facilitates the removal of defective mitochondria by mitophagy and avoids a buildup of mito-ROS and mito-damage/danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Thus, IRGM deficiency results in increased nucleic acid sensors and DAMPs engaging a vicious cycle of aberrant activation of IFN response that is known to occur in systemic autoimmune-like conditions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)578-580
Number of pages3
JournalAutophagy
Volume17
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Autoimmunity
  • DAMPs
  • IRGM
  • IRGM1
  • RIG-I-MAVS
  • autophagy
  • cGAS-STING
  • mitophagy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'IRGM links autoimmunity to autophagy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this