Requirement of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Translocation Protein 1 Protease Activity for Fcγ Receptor-Induced Arthritis, but Not Fcγ Receptor-Mediated Platelet Elimination, in Mice

Fcγ receptors (FcγR) play important roles in both protective and pathogenic immune responses. The assembly of the CBM signalosome encompassing caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9, B cell CLL/lymphoma 10, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT-1) is required for optimal FcγR-induced canonical NF-κB activation and proinflammatory cytokine release. This study was undertaken to clarify the relevance of MALT-1 protease activity in FcγR-driven events and evaluate the therapeutic potential of selective MALT-1 protease inhibitors in FcγR-mediated diseases.

Using genetic and pharmacologic disruption of MALT-1 scaffolding and enzymatic activity, we assessed the relevance of MALT-1 function in murine and human primary myeloid cells upon stimulation with immune complexes (ICs) and in murine models of autoantibody-driven arthritis and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

MALT-1 protease function is essential for optimal FcγR-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines by various murine and human myeloid cells stimulated with ICs. In contrast, MALT-1 protease inhibition did not affect the Syk-dependent, FcγR-mediated production of reactive oxygen species or leukotriene B₄ . Notably, pharmacologic MALT-1 protease inhibition in vivo reduced joint inflammation in the murine K/BxN serum-induced arthritis model (mean area under the curve for paw swelling of 45.42% versus 100% in control mice; P = 0.0007) but did not affect platelet depletion in a passive model of ITP.

Our findings indicate a specific contribution of MALT-1 protease activity to FcγR-mediated events and suggest that MALT-1 protease inhibitors have therapeutic potential in a subset of FcγR-driven inflammatory disorders.