The disease spectrum currently known as the proteasome-associated autoinflammatory syndromes (PRAAS) was first described in 1939 in patients who presented with recurrent fevers beginning in infancy or early childhood, which were accompanied by nodular erythema, a pernio-like rash, and joint contractures. Since then, several syndromes, such as chronic atypical neutrophilic dermatosis with lipodystrophy and elevated temperature (CANDLE) syndrome, Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome (NNS), joint contractures, muscle atrophy, microcytic anemia and panniculitis-induced lipodystrophy (JMP) syndrome, and Japanese autoinflammatory syndrome with lipodystrophy (JASL), have been used to categorize patients with diseases within the same spectrum. Recently, independent studies have identified mutations in the human proteasome subunit b type 8 (PSMB8) gene, which result in a sustained inflammatory response in all syndromes. Further functional studies not only suggest a causative role of PSMB8 mutations but also imply that they represent one disease spectrum, referred to as PRAAS. In this paper, we review the clinical presentations and laboratory findings of PRAAS, as well as the most recent advances in pathogeneses, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients with diseases in this spectrum.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer with rising incidence. In this study, we demonstrate that mTOR activation and suppressed autophagy is common in MCCs. mTOR inhibition in two primary human MCC cell lines induces autophagy and cell death that is independent of caspase activation but can be attenuated by autophagy inhibition. This is the first study to evaluate mTOR and autophagy in MCC. Our data suggests a potential role of autophagic cell death upon mTOR inhibition and thus uncovers a previously underappreciated role of mTOR signaling and cell survival, and merits further studies for potential therapeutic targets.

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