UCSF

Autoinflammatory diseases include a number of monogenic systemic inflammatory diseases, as well as acquired autoinflammatory diseases such as gout. Here, we show that the myeloid Src-family kinases Hck, Fgr, and Lyn are critical for experimental models of gout, as well as for genetically determined systemic inflammation in the Ptpn6me-v/me-v (motheaten viable) mouse model. The Hck-/-Fgr-/-Lyn-/- mutation abrogated various monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced pro-inflammatory responses of neutrophils, and protected mice from the development of gouty arthritis. The Src-family inhibitor dasatinib abrogated MSU crystal-induced responses of human neutrophils and reduced experimental gouty arthritis in mice. The Hck-/-Fgr-/-Lyn-/- mutation also abrogated spontaneous inflammation and prolonged the survival of the Ptpn6me-v/me-v mice. Spontaneous adhesion and superoxide release of Ptpn6me-v/me-v neutrophils were also abolished by the Hck-/-Fgr-/-Lyn-/- mutation. Excessive activation of tyrosine phosphorylation pathways in myeloid cells may characterize a subset of autoinflammatory diseases.