NF-kappaB RelA opposes epidermal proliferation driven by TNFR1 and JNK

NF-kappaB inhibition promotes epidermal tumorigenesis; however, whether this reflects an underlying role in homeostasis or a special case confined to neoplasia is unknown. Embryonic lethality of mice lacking NF-kappaB RelA has hindered efforts to address this. We therefore generated developmentally mature RelA(-/-) skin. RelA(-/-) epidermis displays hyperplasia without abnormal differentiation, inflammation, or apoptosis. Hyperproliferation is TNFR1-dependent because Tnfr1 deletion normalized cell division. TNFR1-dependent JNK activation occurred in RelA(-/-) epidermis, and JNK inhibition abolished hyperproliferation due to RelA deficiency. Thus, RelA antagonizes TNFR1-JNK proliferative signals in epidermis and plays a nonredundant role in restraining epidermal growth.