Corneodesmosomal cadherins are preferential targets of stratum corneum trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like hyperactivity in Netherton syndrome.

Abstract

SPINK5 (serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 5), encoding the protease inhibitor LEKTI (lympho-epithelial Kazal-type related inhibitor), is the defective gene in Netherton syndrome (NS), a severe inherited keratinizing disorder. We have recently demonstrated epidermal protease hyperactivity in Spink5(-/-) mice resulting in desmosomal protein degradation. Herein, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the epidermal defect in 15 patients with NS. We demonstrated that, in a majority of patients, desmoglein 1 (Dsg1) and desmocollin 1 (Dsc1) were dramatically reduced in the upper most living layers of the epidermis. These defects were associated with premature degradation of corneodesmosomes. Stratum corneum tryptic enzyme (SCTE)-like and stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme (SCCE)-like activities were increased, suggesting that these proteases participate in the premature degradation of corneodesmosomal cadherins. SCTE and SCCE expression was extended to the cell layers where Dsg1 and Dsc1 immunostaining was reduced. In contrast, a subset of six patients with normal epidermal protease activity or residual LEKTI expression displayed apparently normal cadherin expression and less severe disease manifestations. This suggests a degree of correlation between cadherin degradation and clinical severity. This work further supports the implication of premature corneodesmosomal cadherin degradation in the pathogenesis of NS and provides evidence for additional factors playing a role in disease expression.

• Authors: Pascal Descargues, Céline Deraison, Catherine Prost, Sylvie Fraitag, Juliette Mazereeuw-Hautier, Marina D'Alessio, Akemi Ishida-Yamamoto, Christine Bodemer, Giovanna Zambruno, Alain Hovnanian
• Journal: The Journal of investigative dermatology (J Invest Dermatol) Vol. 126 Issue 7 Pg. 1622-32 (Jul 2006) ISSN: 0022-202X [Print] United States
• PMID: 16628198 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Carrier Proteins
• DSC1 protein, human
• Desmocollins
• Desmoglein 1
• Membrane Glycoproteins
• Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory
• Receptor, PAR-2
• SPINK5 protein, human
• Serine Peptidase Inhibitor Kazal-Type 5
• KLK5 protein, human
• KLK7 protein, human
• Kallikreins

Topics

• Abnormalities, Multiple (genetics, physiopathology)
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Carrier Proteins (metabolism)
• Cell Differentiation (physiology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dermatitis, Atopic (genetics, physiopathology)
• Desmocollins
• Desmoglein 1 (metabolism)
• Desmosomes (enzymology, metabolism)
• Disease Progression
• Epidermis (chemistry, pathology, physiopathology)
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Hair Follicle (abnormalities, pathology, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Ichthyosis, Lamellar (genetics, physiopathology)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Kallikreins (metabolism)
• Membrane Glycoproteins (metabolism)
• Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
• Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory
• Receptor, PAR-2 (metabolism)
• Serine Peptidase Inhibitor Kazal-Type 5
• Syndrome