Loss-of-function mutations in the C9ORF72 mouse ortholog cause fatal autoimmune disease.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-13-2016

JAX Source

Sci Transl Med 2016 Jul 13; 8(347):347ra93

Volume

8

Issue

347

First Page

347

Last Page

347

ISSN

1946-6242

PMID

27412785

Abstract

C9ORF72 mutations are found in a significant fraction of patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia, yet the function of the C9ORF72 gene product remains poorly understood. We show that mice harboring loss-of-function mutations in the ortholog of C9ORF72 develop splenomegaly, neutrophilia, thrombocytopenia, increased expression of inflammatory cytokines, and severe autoimmunity, ultimately leading to a high mortality rate. Transplantation of mutant mouse bone marrow into wild-type recipients was sufficient to recapitulate the phenotypes observed in the mutant animals, including autoimmunity and premature mortality. Reciprocally, transplantation of wild-type mouse bone marrow into mutant mice improved their phenotype. We conclude that C9ORF72 serves an important function within the hematopoietic system to restrict inflammation and the development of autoimmunity. Sci Transl Med 2016 Jul 13; 8(347):347ra93.

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