Cited by 196interferon and immune responsesDNA Repair MechanismsAutophagy in Disease and Therapy

Absence of RNase H2 triggers generation of immunogenic micronuclei removed by autophagy

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Bartsch, Kareen, Knittler, Katharina, Borowski, Christopher, Rudnik, Sönke, Damme, Markus, Aden, Konrad, Spehlmann, Martina E., Frey, Norbert +3 more·2017·Human Molecular Genetics

Abstract

Hypomorphic mutations in the DNA repair enzyme RNase H2 cause the neuroinflammatory autoimmune disorder Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS). Endogenous nucleic acids are believed to accumulate in patient cells and instigate pathogenic type I interferon expression. However, the underlying nucleic acid species amassing in the absence of RNase H2 has not been established yet. Here, we report that murine RNase H2 knockout cells accumulated cytosolic DNA aggregates virtually indistinguishable from micronuclei. RNase H2-dependent micronuclei were surrounded by nuclear lamina and most of them contained damaged DNA. Importantly, they induced expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and co-localized with the nucleic acid sensor cGAS. Moreover, micronuclei associated with RNase H2 deficiency were cleared by autophagy. Consequently, induction of autophagy by pharmacological mTOR inhibition resulted in a significant reduction of cytosolic DNA and the accompanied interferon signature. Autophagy induction might therefore represent a viable therapeutic option for RNase H2-dependent disease. Endogenous retroelements have previously been proposed as a source of self-nucleic acids triggering inappropriate activation of the immune system in AGS. We used human RNase H2-knockout cells generated by CRISPR/Cas9 to investigate the impact of RNase H2 on retroelement propagation. Surprisingly, replication of LINE-1 and Alu elements was blunted in cells lacking RNase H2, establishing RNase H2 as essential host factor for the mobilisation of endogenous retrotransposons.

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Crossref · 10.1093/hmg/ddx283

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  • cGAS activation caused by rupture of the MN nuclear envelope is thought to be the main trigger of an interferon-based inflammatory response.

    “Similarly, cGAS activation due to rupture of the MN nuclear envelope is thought to be the major trigger of an interferon-based inflammatory response (Bartsch et al., 2017; Gekara, 2017; Harding et al., 2017; Mackenzie et al., 2017).”

    From Cytoplasmic DNA: sources, sensing, and role in aging and disease (2021) · cites this paper as Bartsch et al., 2017

  • Loss of nuclear membrane integrity in senescent cells and laminopathies, such as HGPS, parallels loss of membrane integrity in micronuclei.

    “For example, the loss of nuclear membrane integrity in senescent cells (Shimi et al., 2011) and laminopathies, such as HGPS, parallels loss of membrane integrity in MN (Bartsch et al., 2017; Gekara, 2017; Harding et al., 2017; Mackenzie et al., 2017).”

    From Cytoplasmic DNA: sources, sensing, and role in aging and disease (2021) · cites this paper as Bartsch et al., 2017

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Authors
Bartsch, K., Knittler, K., Borowski, C., Rudnik, S., Damme, M., Aden, K., Spehlmann, M. E., Frey, N., Saftig, P., Chalaris, A., & Rabe, B.
Affiliations
  • Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (DE)
  • University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (DE)
Corresponding author
Rabe, Björn
Venue
Human Molecular Genetics
Published
2017-07-17
Volume
26
Issue
20
Pages
3960-3972
ISSN
  • 0964-6906 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2083
OpenAlex
W2735349030
Cited by
196
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 2
FWCI
10.67
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Human Molecular Genetics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (RA 2404/1-1)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › interferon and immune responses
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › DNA Repair Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
Keywords
RNase H2, Aicardi-Goutières syndrome, autophagy, micronuclei, cytosolic DNA, type I interferon, cGAS, interferon-stimulated genes, endogenous retrotransposons, LINE-1, Alu elements, mTOR inhibition, DNA repair, neuroinflammation
MeSH terms
Animals, Autophagy, DNA, DNA Damage, DNA Replication, Mutation, Nervous System Malformations, Ribonuclease H, Mice, Knockout, Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System, Micronucleus, Germline, Mice

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