Tristetraprolin (TTP, encoded by the Zfp36 gene) regulates the mRNA stability of several important cytokines. Due to the critical role of this RNA-binding protein in the control of inflammation, TTP deficiency leads to the spontaneous development of a complex inflammatory syndrome. So far, this phenotype has been largely attributed to dysregulated production of TNF and IL‑23 by myeloid cells, such as macrophages or DCs. Here, we generated mice with conditional deletion of TTP in keratinocytes (Zfp36fl/flK14-Cre mice, referred to herein as Zfp36ΔEP mice). Unlike DC-restricted (CD11c-Cre) or myeloid cell-restricted (LysM-Cre) TTP ablation, these mice developed exacerbated inflammation in the imiquimod-induced psoriasis model. Furthermore, Zfp36ΔEP mice progressively developed a spontaneous pathology with systemic inflammation, psoriatic-like skin lesions, and dactylitis. Finally, we provide evidence that keratinocyte-derived TNF production drives these different pathological features. In summary, these findings expand current views on the initiation of psoriasis and related arthritis by revealing the keratinocyte-intrinsic role of TTP.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is the most lethal form of thyroid neoplasia and represents an end stage of thyroid tumor progression. No effective treatment exists so far. In this study, we analyzed the miRNA expression profiles of 11 ATC by microarrays and their relationship with the mRNA expression profiles of the same 11 ATC samples. ATC show distinct miRNA expression profiles compared to other less aggressive thyroid tumor types. ATC show 18 commonly deregulated miRNA compared to normal thyroid tissue (17 downregulated and 1 upregulated miRNA). First, the analysis of a combined approach of the mRNA gene expression and of the bioinformatically predicted mRNA targets of the deregulated miRNA suggested a role for these regulations in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in ATC. Second, the direct interaction between one of the upregulated mRNA target, the LOX gene which is an EMT key player, and a downregulated miRNA, the miR-29a, was experimentally validated by a luciferase assay in HEK cell. Third, we confirmed that the ATC tissue is composed of about 50% of tumor associated macrophages (TAM) and suggested, by taking into account our data and published data, their most likely direct or paracrine intercommunication between them and the thyroid tumor cells, amplifying the tumor aggressiveness. Finally, we demonstrated by in situ hybridization a specific thyrocyte localization of 3 of the deregulated miRNA: let-7g, miR-29a and miR-30e and we pointed out the importance of identifying the cell type localization before drawing any conclusion on the physiopathological role of a given gene.

Cancer is caused primarily by genomic alterations resulting in deregulation of gene regulatory circuits in key growth, apoptosis or DNA repair pathways. Multiple genes associated with the initiation and development of tumors are also regulated at the level of mRNA decay, through the recruitment of RNA binding proteins to AU-rich elements (AREs) located in their 3'untranslated regions. One of these ARE-binding proteins, tristetraprolin (TTP, encoded by Zfp36) is consistently dysregulated in many human malignancies. Herein, using regulated overexpression or conditional ablation in the context of chemical cutaneous carcinogenesis, we show that TTP represents a critical regulator of skin tumorigenesis. We provide evidence that TTP controls both tumor-associated inflammation and key oncogenic pathways in neoplastic epidermal cells. We identify Areg as a direct target of TTP in keratinocytes, and show that EGFR signaling potentially contributes to exacerbated tumor formation. Finally, single-cell RNA-Sequencing analysis indicates that ZFP36 is downregulated in human malignant keratinocytes. We conclude that TTP expression by epidermal cells plays a major role in the control of skin tumorigenesis.

AU-rich element (ARE)-mediated mRNA decay represents a key mechanism to avoid excessive production of inflammatory cytokines. Tristetraprolin (TTP, encoded by Zfp36) is a major ARE-binding protein, since Zfp36 −/− mice develop a complex multiorgan inflammatory syndrome that shares many features with spondyloarthritis. The role of TTP in intestinal homeostasis is not known. Herein, we show that Zfp36 −/− mice do not develop any histological signs of gut pathology. However, they display a clear increase in intestinal inflammatory markers and discrete alterations in microbiota composition. Importantly, oral antibiotic treatment reduced both local and systemic joint and skin inflammation. We further show that absence of overt intestinal pathology is associated with local expansion of regulatory T cells. We demonstrate that this is related to increased vitamin A metabolism by gut dendritic cells, and identify RALDH2 as a direct target of TTP. In conclusion, these data bring insights into the interplay between microbiota-dependent gut and systemic inflammation during immune-mediated disorders, such as spondyloarthritis.