Transgenic mice expressing a mutant form of loricrin reveal the molecular basis of the skin diseases, Vohwinkel syndrome and progressive symmetric erythrokeratoderma.

Mutations in the cornified cell envelope protein loricrin have been reported recently in some patients with Vohwinkel syndrome (VS) and progressive symmetric erythrokeratoderma (PSEK). To establish a causative relationship between loricrin mutations and these diseases, we have generated transgenic mice expressing a COOH-terminal truncated form of loricrin that is similar to the protein expressed in VS and PSEK patients. At birth, transgenic mice (ML.VS) exhibited erythrokeratoderma with an epidermal barrier dysfunction. 4 d after birth, high-expressing transgenic animals showed a generalized scaling of the skin, as well as a constricting band encircling the tail and, by day 7, a thickening of the footpads. Histologically, ML. VS transgenic mice also showed retention of nuclei in the stratum corneum, a characteristic feature of VS and PSEK. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy showed the mutant loricrin protein in the nucleus and cytoplasm of epidermal keratinocytes, but did not detect the protein in the cornified cell envelope. Transfection experiments indicated that the COOH-terminal domain of the mutant loricrin contains a nuclear localization signal. To determine whether the ML.VS phenotype resulted from dominant-negative interference of the transgene with endogenous loricrin, we mated the ML.VS transgenics with loricrin knockout mice. A severe phenotype was observed in mice that lacked expression of wild-type loricrin. Since loricrin knockout mice are largely asymptomatic (Koch, P.K., P. A. de Viragh, E. Scharer, D. Bundman, M.A. Longley, J. Bickenbach, Y. Kawachi, Y. Suga, Z. Zhou, M. Huber, et al., J. Cell Biol. 151:389-400, this issue), this phenotype may be attributed to expression of the mutant form of loricrin. Thus, deposition of the mutant protein in the nucleus appears to interfere with late stages of epidermal differentiation, resulting in a VS-like phenotype.

Inhibition of retinoid signaling in transgenic mice alters lipid processing and disrupts epidermal barrier function.

To explore the role of retinoids in epidermal development, we recently targeted expression of a dominant-negative, retinoic acid receptor mutant (RAR alpha403) in the epidermis of transgenic mice and observed an unexpected loss of barrier function. In this paper, we demonstrate that transgenic mice expressing the RAR alpha403 transgene show attenuated responsiveness to topical application of all-trans retinoic acid, in agreement with our previous in vitro data. We also show that the vitamin D3 receptor is unaffected in its ability to transactivate in the presence of the dominant-negative RAR alpha403 transgene, indicating that the RAR alpha403 is unlikely to be functioning through a global sequestration of retinoid X receptors. Additionally, we show that the disruption of epidermal barrier function results in a dramatic 4 C drop in mean body surface temperature, probably accounting for the extremely high incidence of neonatal mortality in severely phenotypic pups. Some severely affected pups do survive and show a pronounced hyperkeratosis at postpartum day 4, consistent with previously documented effects of vitamin A deficiency. Biochemical analysis of the severely phenotypic neonates indicates elevated phospholipids and glycosylceramides in the stratum comeum, which results from altered lipid processing. Taken together with previous studies, these data provide strong evidence linking the retinoid-signaling pathway with modulation of lipid processing required for formation of epidermal barrier function.

Targeting expression of a dominant-negative retinoic acid receptor mutant in the epidermis of transgenic mice results in loss of barrier function.

To study the effects of retinoic acid on the skin in vivo, we have subverted the activity of endogenous receptors by targeting expression of a dominant negative mutant of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR alpha) to the epidermis of transgenic mice. At birth, mice expressing the mutant RAR alpha transgene exhibited a marked phenotype of a red, shiny skin that was somewhat sticky to touch. Severely affected neonates died within 24 hr. Histological changes in the epidermis were subtle with the phenotypic stratum corneum appearing slightly thinner and more loosely packed than in controls. Electron microscopic studies revealed that lipid multilamellar structures were not present between cells in the stratum corneum of phenotypic mice. When assayed for transepidermal water loss, phenotypic skin lost water at a rate three times faster than controls, suggesting that neonatal lethality resulted from loss of epidermal barrier function. The absence of a functional lipid barrier in transgenic mice first became evident at E17 when lipids were extruded initially into the intercellular space. We have identified a potential pathway linking inhibition of retinoid signaling with disruption of the lipid barrier that involves peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. This study documents the role of the retinoid signaling pathway in formation and maintenance of a functional epidermis and provides the first evidence that this is mediated in part by modulation of lipid metabolism.