Aim2 Deficiency in Mice Suppresses the Expression of the Inhibitory Fcγ Receptor (FcγRIIB) through the Induction of the IFN-Inducible p202, a Lupus Susceptibility Protein

Murine Aim2 and Ifi202 genes (encoding for the Aim2 and p202 proteins) are members of the IFN-inducible Ifi200 gene family. The Aim2 deficiency in mice activates IFN signaling and stimulates the expression of the lupus susceptibility gene, the Ifi202, located within the NZB autoimmunity 2 (Nba2) interval. Given that the deficiency in the expression of the Fcgr2b gene (encoding for the inhibitory Fc gamma RIIB receptor) is associated with increased lupus susceptibility in mice, we investigated whether the Aim2 protein could regulate the expression of Fcgr2b gene. In this article, we report that Aim2 deficiency in mice suppresses the expression of the Fc gamma RIIB receptor. Interestingly, the Fcgr2b-deficient cells expressed increased levels of the IFN-beta, activated IFN signaling, and expressed reduced levels of the Aim2 protein. Treatment of splenic cells with IFN-alpha or -gamma reduced levels of the Fc gamma RIIB mRNA and protein and also decreased the activity of the Fc gamma RIIB p(-729/+585) Luc reporter. Moreover, levels of the Fc gamma RIIB receptor were significantly higher in the Stat1-deficient splenic cells than in the wild-type cells. Accordingly, increased expression of IFN-beta in lupus-prone B6.Nba2-ABC mice, as compared with non-lupus-prone C57BL/6 (B6) or B6.Nba2-C mice, was associated with reduced expression of the Fc gamma RIIB receptor. Notably, overexpression of the p202 protein in cells decreased the expression of the Aim2 gene, activated the IFN response, and suppressed the expression of the Fcgr2b gene. These observations demonstrate that the expression of Aim2 protein is required to maintain the expression of the Fcgr2b gene and also predict epistatic interactions between the Ifi200 genes and the Fcgr2b gene within the Nba2 interval. The Journal of Immunology, 2011, 186: 6762-6770.