TRIM22 actives PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to promote psoriasis through enhancing cell proliferation and inflammation and inhibiting autophagy.

Objective: To reveal the function and underlying mechanism of Tri-domain protein 22 (TRIM22) in psoriasis.

Methods: M5 cytokines were applied in HaCat cells to mimic psoriasis in vitro. The TRIM22-silencing viruses were established to knockdown TRIM22 in HaCat cells. Western blot and/or real-time PCR were used to detect the expression of TRIM22, KRT1, KRT6, p-P65, P65, LC3, Beclin 1, P62, p-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt, Akt, p-mTOR, and mTOR. ELISA kits were applied to assess levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18, and HMGB1.

Results: TRIM22 expression levels were upregulated in M5-treated HaCat cells. M5 treatment enhanced cell proliferation and inflammation, and inhibited autophagy in HaCat cells which were effectively reversed by TRIM22 deficiency. Activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is an essential promoter of cell proliferation and inflammation, and inhibitor of autophagy in psoriasis. TRIM22 deficiency blocked M5-induced activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in HaCat cells.

Conclusions: TRIM22 facilitates cell proliferation and inflammation, and suppresses autophagy in M5-treated HaCat cells through activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, and inhibition of TRIM22 can be a novel potential treatment for psoriasis.