KLK5 Inactivation Reverses Cutaneous Hallmarks of Netherton Syndrome.

Netherton Syndrome (NS) is a rare and severe autosomal recessive skin disease which can be life-threatening in infants. The disease is characterized by extensive skin desquamation, inflammation, allergic manifestations and hair shaft defects. NS is caused by loss-of-function mutations in SPINK5 encoding the LEKTI serine protease inhibitor. LEKTI deficiency results in unopposed activities of kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) and aberrantly increased proteolysis in the epidermis. Spink5⁻/⁻ mice recapitulate the NS phenotype, display enhanced epidermal Klk5 and Klk7 protease activities and die within a few hours after birth because of a severe skin barrier defect. However the contribution of these various proteases in the physiopathology remains to be determined. In this study, we developed a new murine model in which Klk5 and Spink5 were both knocked out to assess whether Klk5 deletion is sufficient to reverse the NS phenotype in Spink5⁻/⁻ mice. By repeated intercrossing between Klk5⁻/⁻ mice with Spink5⁻/⁻ mice, we generated Spink5⁻/⁻Klk5⁻/⁻ animals. We showed that Klk5 knock-out in Lekti-deficient newborn mice rescues neonatal lethality, reverses the severe skin barrier defect, restores epidermal structure and prevents skin inflammation. Specifically, using in situ zymography and specific protease substrates, we showed that Klk5 knockout reduced epidermal proteolytic activity, particularly its downstream targets proteases KLK7, KLK14 and ELA2. By immunostaining, western blot, histology and electron microscopy analyses, we provide evidence that desmosomes and corneodesmosomes remain intact and that epidermal differentiation is restored in Spink5⁻/⁻Klk5⁻/⁻. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses and immunostainings revealed absence of inflammation and allergy in Spink5⁻/⁻Klk5⁻/⁻ skin. Notably, Il-1β, Il17A and Tslp levels were normalized. Our results provide in vivo evidence that KLK5 knockout is sufficient to reverse NS-like symptoms manifested in Spink5⁻/⁻ skin. These findings illustrate the crucial role of protease regulation in skin homeostasis and inflammation, and establish KLK5 inhibition as a major therapeutic target for NS.

Introduction

The epidermis is a stratified epithelium that prevents from dehydration, excludes toxins and microbes, protects from mechanical injury, and participates in immune responses. The main barrier is provided by the stratum corneum, the outermost epidermal layer composed of multiple layers of terminally differentiated keratinocytes (mummified corneocytes) embedded in a lipid matrix [1,2]. Netherton Syndrome (NS, OMIM 256500) is a rare and severe autosomal recessive skin disease characterized by extensive skin desquamation, inflammation, multiple allergies, atopic manifestations and hair shaft defects [3,4]. There is currently no satisfactory treatment for NS which is a complex systemic disease with multiple effects, but only palliative treatments for management of skin infections, reduction of itching and pain [5,6]. Previously, we established that NS is caused by loss-of-function mutations in SPINK5 [7], encoding LEKTI (lymphoepithelial Kazal-type inhibitor), a multidomain protease inhibitor. LEKTI has been shown to inhibit several members of the KLK serine protease family (KLK5, KLK7 and KLK14; [8,9]). The absence of LEKTI in NS results in unopposed KLKs activities and aberrantly increased epidermal proteolysis [8,10,11,12]. Spink5 mice recapitulate a phenotype highly reminiscent of NS, replicating cutaneous and inflammatory aspects of the disease [12,13,14,15,16]. Similarly to what has been observed in NS patients, Spink5 epidermis displays unopposed Klk5 and Klk7 protease activities [12]. In vitro studies showed that KLK5, KLK7 and KLK14 contribute to desquamation by degrading desmosomal cadherins such as Desmoglein 1 (Dsg1) and Desmocollin-1 (Dsc1) [9,17]. According to the current state-of-the art hypothesis, pro-KLKs are synthesized and activated in the stratum granulosum and active KLK enzymes are rapidly complexed with LEKTI, thus preventing premature degradation of desmosomes at the stratum corneum/stratum granulosum interface [8,11,18]. KLK-LEKTI complexes diffuse to the outer stratum corneum where the acidic microenvironment causes the release of active KLKs which cleave corneodesmosomal proteins in the most superficial layers of the stratum corneum. This ensures the finely-tuned regulation of the desquamation process. Two scenarios aim to explain the modes of proKLK activation in the skin. It was assumed that proKLK5 was autoactivated and that mature KLK5 activates other KLK zymogens. However, recent evidence indicates that proKLK5 can be activated by the transmembrane protease matriptase or by mesotrypsin which can both activate proKLK7 [8,19,20]. Thus, KLK5 is a hypothesized key regulator of physiological proteolysis in the epidermis and substantial evidence implicates its aberrant hyperactivity in overdesquamating and inflammatory skin diseases, like NS and atopic dermatitis [21]. In NS, loss of LEKTI causes premature degradation of desmosomes leading to abnormal detachment of the stratum corneum from the granular layer [12,14]. Epidermal hyperplasia, abnormal distribution of differentiation markers, increased Filaggrin (Flg) processing and lipid defects are also observed in NS skin [12,22]. In addition, unopposed proteolytic activity propagates sustained activation of pro-inflammatory and pro-signaling pathways, including the KLK5-PAR2-TSLP (thymic stromal lymphopoietin) axis [15]. Knocking-out Par-2 in Spink5 mice results in a dramatic decrease in TSLP expression at embryonic day 19.5 but these mice still display stratum corneum detachment. Spink5 /Par2 grafted skin shows an inflammatory phenotype probably resulting from stratum corneum detachment [16]. To assess the role of KLK5 in NS, we recently developed a transgenic murine model overexpressing human KLK5 in the granular layer of the epidermis [23]. These animals reproduced major features of NS, including increased proteolytic activity in the skin, a severe skin barrier defect with cutaneous and systemic allergy and inflammation, identifying KLK5 as an important contributor of NS pathogenesis.

In this study, we developed a new murine model in which Klk5 and Spink5 were both inactivated to assess whether Klk5 knockout is sufficient to reverse the NS phenotype in Spink5 mice. This study allows a broader characterization of NS skin inflammation and reveals that KLK5 inactivation is sufficient to correct the cutaneous phenotype manifested in Spink5 newborn mice. These findings illustrate the crucial role of protease regulation in skin homeostasis and establish KLK5 inhibition as a major target for drug development for NS.

Results

Knockout of Klk5 expression reverses skin and whiskers anomalies

We and others have previously reported that Spink5 mice show neonatal lethality due to a major skin barrier defect [12,13,14]. To investigate the contribution of Klk5 in the Spink5 phenotype, we have generated Klk5 mice on a C57BL/6 background (S1 Fig). Mice are viable, fertile and do not show any macroscopic cutaneous phenotype. Klk5 mice were intercrossed with Spink5 on the same pure genetic background and Klk5 Spink5 double heterozygotes were intercrossed to generate Spink5 Klk5 double knockout mice that were identified using a PCR-based genotyping strategy (S1 Table). We confirmed the absence of detectable levels of Klk5 and Spink5 mRNA by quantitative RT-PCR in Spink5 Klk5 skin (S2 Fig). Spink5 mice developed desquamating lesions within 1 hour from birth and died shortly after (<5 h) (Fig 1A). They also displayed vibrissae defects ranging from complete absence to rare and disorganized whiskers [12,13,14]. In striking contrast, newborn Spink5 Klk5 mice displayed no apparent cutaneous phenotype, neither signs of skin desquamation nor inflammation and were overall indistinguishable from wild-type (wt) mice, except that they grew shorter whiskers (Fig 1A and 1B). As shown in Fig 1C, the microstructure of Spink5 Klk5 whiskers was nearly identical to those of the wt animals and very different from the short, thin, and disorganized whiskers observed in Spink5 mice. Neonates from all genotypes were fed normally as milk could be visualized in their stomach and had normal weight (≈1.30 g for all genotypes) at birth.

Fig 1

Loss of Klk5 expression reverses skin and whisker anomalies in Spink5 mice.

(A) Macroscopic appearance of wt, Spink5 , Klk5 , Spink5 Klk5 mice. Photos were taken 30 h after birth for wt, Klk5 and Spink5 Klk5 mice and 5 h for Spink5 mice; (B) Microscopic appearance of muzzle area (scale bar 1mm) and (C) whisker ultrastructure by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Scale bar, 10μm.

Ablation of Klk5 expression remarkably improves epidermal function

Defective skin barrier as observed in NS patients and in Spink5 mice results in the development of compensatory mechanisms in the epidermis leading to hyperkeratosis (thickening of the cornified layer) and acanthosis (thickening of the living layers) (Fig 2A) [12]. Stratum corneum detachment is also a characteristic feature of NS (Fig 2A). In contrast, histology examination of skin sections from Spink5 Klk5 mice showed neither acanthosis nor hyperkeratosis, nor microscopic separation of the stratum corneum/stratum granulosum (Fig 2A).

Fig 2

Skin barrier function is restored by Klk5 knockout.

(A) Hematoxylin/eosin/safranin (HES) stained skin sections show no stratum corneum detachment and normal thickness of the living layer in the epidermis of Spink5 Klk5 (taken post-natally at 30 h) as opposed to Spink5 (at 5 h) characterized by extensive stratum corneum/stratum granulosum separation and acanthosis; Scale bar: 50μm (B) Skin barrier defect is remarkably improved in Spink5 Klk5 as demonstrated by the toluidine blue dye penetration assay. The dye is excluded from entering the body of the Spink5 Klk5 mouse in sharp contrast to the deep blue stain of Spink5 ; (C) Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) assay. TEWL values are significantly lower in Spink5 Klk5 as compared to Spink5 and similar to wt animals, reflecting normalization of the skin barrier defect on the Lekti-deficient background solely by Klk5 deletion. *p<0.05 (Mann-Whitney U test); (D) TEWL values over time in wt (n = 9), Spink5 (n = 9), Klk5 (n = 10) and combined Spink5 -/- Klk5 -/- deficient (n = 8) newborn mice at 37°C. Data are shown as mean ± s.e.m. (standard error of the mean). Stars on the graph represent statistics between Spink5 and Spink5 -/- Klk5 -/- at the different time points **p<0.01 (Mann-Whitney U test). Note that values for Spink5 -/- Klk5 -/- and Klk5 are not significantly different from wt whereas Spink5 values are significantly different from wt for all time points.

To investigate epidermal barrier function, we first examined the ability of the skin to prevent penetration of an external dye solution in a whole-mount assay. Toluidine blue dye permeability assay showed a major skin permeability defect in Spink5 as compared to wt and Klk5 animals. In contrast, only a few patches of dye penetration were seen in Spink5 Klk5 mice, indicating that deletion of Klk5 in Lekti-deficient mice drastically improved epidermal barrier function (Fig 2B). The presence of these patches could be due to additional proteolytic activities which remain active and take over upon Consistent with this result, Spink5 Klk5 mice exhibited significantly lower transepidermal water loss (TEWL) compared to Spink5 mice (Fig 2C). The remarkable improvement of skin functional integrity in Spink5 Klk5 animals was further confirmed by the absence of weight loss over time (210 minutes) at 37°C (Fig 2D).

Klk5 knockout down-regulates aberrant protease activity

A characteristic feature of the Spink5 phenotype is aberrantly increased proteolysis in the skin, especially in the upper layers of the epidermis, leading to the separation of the stratum corneum from the stratum granulosum as a result of Dsg1 cleavage [12,13,14,20]. The overall proteolytic activity was visualized in skin sections by in situ zymography using quenched fluorescent casein and elastin substrates (Fig 3A and 3B, respectively). Very high proteolytic activities were detected in Spink5 skin sections in which caseinolytic activity predominated in the upper layers of the epidermis and diffused throughout the hyperplastic epidermis [20]. The overall caseinolytic activity in the epidermis of newborn Klk5 mice was not significantly reduced compared to the wt at birth (Fig 3A). In contrast, genetic knock out of Klk5 had a very strong suppressing effect on caseinolytic activity in Spink5 Klk5 skin, as shown in Fig 3A, indicating a dominant role of Klk5 in NS pathology. To further explore proteolytic activity in Spink5 and Spink5 Klk5 skin, we used peptide substrates known to be cleaved by downstream Klk5 proteases (Klk7 and Klk14)[24,25]. Cleavage of Klk7 substrate was elevated by more than 14-fold in Spink5 skin compared to wt and drastically reduced in Spink5 Klk5 , although it was still slightly elevated compared to wt (2-fold) (Fig 3C). Cleavage of Klk14 substrate was elevated by more than 2-fold in Spink5 skin compared to wt but was normalised in Spink5 Klk5 (Fig 3C). In addition Klk7 and Klk14 mRNA expression was increased in Spink5 skin and down-regulated in Spink5 Klk5 (Fig 3D). The elastinolytic activity was also significantly increased in the epidermis of Spink5 and markedly reduced in Klk5 and Spink5 Klk5 epidermis (Fig 3B).

Fig 3

Klk5 is a key regulator of epidermal proteolysis.

In situ zymography using fluorescence-quenched casein (A) or elastin (B). Skin tissue sections were prepared from wt, Spink5 , Klk5 , and Spink5 Klk5 mice. Ablation of Klk5 expression highly reduced both caseinolytic and elastinolytic activities in the stratum corneum of Spink5 Klk5 as compared to Spink5 , respectively. Fluorescence intensity data was transformed into a color gradient (as shown) using ImageJ software. Dashed white lines represent the dermal-epidermal junction; The asterisk (*) indicates the epidermis, scale bar: 25μm (C) Changes in proteolytic activity using colorimetric substrates that target different proteases. Activity in wt, Spink5 and Spink5 Klk5 was detected by measuring absorbance at 405 nm after overnight incubation with substrates for either KLK7 or KLK14. Data are shown as the mean ± SEM of duplicates for four mice per genotype; (D) Analysis of mRNA expression in skin by RT-qPCR of Klk7 and Klk14. Results show high expression of both Klks in Spink5 . In Spink5 Klk5 skin, expression of Klk14 is equal to wt while Klk7 remained slightly higher. Data are shown as the mean ± s.e.m. of triplicate amplification for at least three mice per genotype. Results are normalized to wt mean (set as 1.0).

Klk5 inactivation restores desmosome integrity, epidermal architecture and differentiation

Several studies have shown that KLK5 is able to degrade Dsg1 and Dsc1 in vitro, thus contributing to the detachment of superficial corneocytes during desquamation [17,26,27]. Dsg1 is a major desmosomal cadherin which is cleaved in the most superficial layers of the epidermis during the desquamation process. Previous studies established that Dsg1 and Dsc1 are degraded in vivo by enhanced proteolytic activity in NS patients, in Spink5 and Tg-KLK5 mice [12,23,28]. As shown in Fig 4A, Dsg1 is drastically reduced in Spink5 , is increased in Klk5 epidermis and is restored in Spink5 Klk5 mice compared to wt mice (Fig 4A and S5A Fig). Dsc1 expression is also decreased in Spink5 , is comparable to wt mice in Klk5 epidermis and is partially restored in Spink5 Klk5 mice (Fig 4B and S5B Fig). These results are consistent with reduced overall proteolytic activity and absence of stratum corneum detachment as seen in Spink5 Klk5 epidermis compared to Spink5 .

Fig 4

The ultrastructural architecture of Spink5 epidermis is normalized by Klk5 knockout.

(A) Immunostaining on skin section shows restored Dsg1 in Spink5 Klk5 compared to Spink5 consistent with diminished pathological proteolysis observed in Fig 3, scale bar: 25μm (B) Immunostaining on skin section shows partial restoration of Dsc1 in Spink5 Klk5 compared to Spink5 , scale bar: 25μm. (C) Transmission electron micrographs of skin ultrasections from: wt (C1-2), Spink5 (D1-3), Klk5 (E1-3), and Spink5 Klk5 (F1-3) mice. Nuclei (depicted with star in D2) present in the stratum corneum of Spink5 denote incomplete differentiation (parakeratosis). Separation of desmosomes in Spink5 is evident, as indicated by arrows (D3). Of note, also the well-organized compact desmosomes in Klk5 and Spink5 Klk5 skin sections (E2-3, F3).

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed remnant nuclei in corneocytes (parakeratosis) in Spink5 whereas no nuclei were seen in the stratum corneum of wt, Klk5 and Spink5 Klk5 animals (Fig 4C1, 4D2, 4E1 and 4F1) [12,29,30]. TEM also showed stratum corneum/stratum granulosum separation with split-desmosomes in Spink5 , which were not seen in wt, Klk5 and Spink5 Klk5 (Fig 4C1, 4D1, 4D3, 4E1, 4F1 and 4F2). In contrast, a compact stratum corneum structure with intact desmosomes and corneodesmosomes was seen in Spink5 Klk5 as opposed to Spink5 animals (Fig 4C1, 4D3, 4E1 and 4E2). Notably, the structure of corneodesmosomes in both Klk5 and Spink5 Klk5 skin appeared more compact and dense than in wt skin (Fig 4E2, 4E3 and 4F3). In addition, Klk5 and Spink5 Klk5 skin showed an increased number of corneodesmosomes compared to wt (S3A Fig), with a significantly enhanced number of uncleaved corneodesmosomes (S3B Fig). These observations are consistent with decreased epidermal proteolysis and higher Dsg1 expression in Klk5 and Spink5 Klk5 and also identify Dsg1 as an in vivo substrate of Klk5 (Fig 4A).

Skin from NS patients and murine models displays several features of impaired epidermal differentiation and cornification [12,22]. Involucrin and loricrin expression, which is enhanced in Spink5 mice, show a pattern of expression similar to wt in Spink5 Klk5 mice (Fig 5A and 5B and S6A and S6B Fig).

Fig 5

Spink5 Klk5 skin does not show evidence of abnormal epidermal differentiation.

(A, B) IHF analyses show normalized Involucrin and Loricrin expression in Spink5 Klk5 skin compared to Spink5 as indicated by arrows; scale bar: 25μm (C) Deletion of Klk5 blocks Flg degradation. Immunostaining of Flg extends to the granular layer and the stratum corneum in wt, Klk5 , Spink5 Klk5 while it is drastically reduced in the granular layer and restricted to the detached stratum corneum in Spink5 mice as indicated by arrows; scale bar: 25μm.

Spink5 skin exhibits accelerated degradation of Flg and lipid defects [12,22]. In wt and Klk5 mice, Flg immunostaining is detected in the granular layers and stratum corneum (Fig 5C and S6A Fig). In Spink5 skin, Flg immunostaining is drastically reduced, almost absent in the granular layer and restricted to detached stratum corneum. The pattern of Flg expression is fully restored in Spink5 Klk5 skin (Fig 5C and S6A Fig). Consistent with these results, Flg western blot analysis showed that, in contrast to Spink5 skin which displayed reduced or no detectable high molecular weight forms of Flg, Spink5 Klk5 skin did not reveal evidence for increased proteolytic cleavage of pro-Flg (S4A Fig). The amounts of cholesterol, neutral and polar lipids were visualized by filipin and Nile red staining, respectively (S4B and S4C Fig). Both stains revealed linear lipid structures corresponding to intercellular spaces in wt animals. In Spink5 , a pearl-like lipid distribution was observed which was more pronounced with filipin. This staining pattern was also reported in skin sections from NS patients [22]. Only few cholesterol deposits were seen in the stratum corneum of wt and Klk5 mice. Both stains revealed that this abnormal pearl-like pattern was alleviated in Spink5 Klk5 epidermis, suggesting that elimination of Klk5 partially restored corneocyte lipid envelope formation. In conclusion, restoration in large part of epidermal differentiation and architecture with lack of stratum corneum detachment in Spink5 Klk5 allowed recovery of epidermal barrier function.

Klk5 loss prevents cutaneous inflammation

Spink5 mice and NS patients show severe inflammation of the skin [12,13,14]. Pro-inflammatory signaling in Lekti-deficient epidermis involves activation of the PAR2-NF-κB axis by unopposed KLK5 activity leading to overexpression of TSLP (thymic stromal lymphopoietin), enhanced TNF-α, intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and IL-8 expression. Increased proteolytic processing of the cathelicidin precursor also contributes to skin inflammation through the release of antimicrobial and pro-inflammatory peptides [15,31,32]. Consistent with these observations, Spink5 skin grafts on nude mice show increased expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-allergic cytokines and exhibit an inflammatory infiltrate composed of mast cells and eosinophils [15]. In contrast to Spink5 , Spink5 Klk5 -/- mice showed no redness of their skin, indicating that skin inflammation associated with Lekti-deficiency was remarkably inhibited by the sole elimination of Klk5 activity (Fig 1A). Consistently, targeted transcript analysis using qRT-PCR showed that several pro-allergic and pro-inflammatory cytokine-encoding mRNAs previously reported to be enhanced in Spink5 [15], were markedly reduced in Spink5 Klk5 skin (Fig 6)[15]. Specifically, expression of Tslp, a major pro-Th2 cytokine, was strongly diminished in Spink5 Klk5 skin, at the mRNA level and at the protein level as verified by immunohistochemistry depicted in Fig 6A and 6G and S6D Fig. Tnf-α, Il-1β, Il-6, and Il-18 pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was elevated in Spink5 and significantly down- regulated in Spink5 Klk5 skin (Fig 6A and 6B). Down-regulation of these inflammatory markers correlated with normalized Par-2 expression in the epidermis in Spink5 Klk5 (S5A and S6C Figs). Among the Il-25 and Il-33 alarmins involved in Th2 responses, only Il-33 showed a moderate increase in both Spink5 and Spink5 Klk5 (Fig 6B and S5B Fig). We next investigated the expression of molecules known to attract immune cells to the skin. Ccl17/Tarc and CCL22/Mdc are major pro-Th2 mediators that can recruit pro-allergic Th2 cells via the chemokine receptor CCR4 to the skin [33]. In Spink5 skin, Ccl17 and Ccl22 were elevated while Ccl22 was down regulated in Spink5 Klk5 (S5C Fig). The expression of Ccl8, known to attract actors of allergy and inflammation, was elevated in both Spink5 and Spink5 Klk5 skin (S5C Fig), whereas Ccl20, a chemoattractant for CCR6+ cells including dendritic cells and Th17 cells, showed a significant increase only in Spink5 skin (Fig 6D). We further characterized the nature of the inflammatory responses developed in Spink5 and compared it to Spink5 Klk5 skin (Fig 6B). We found no evidence for Th1 (Ifn-γ) or Th2 (Il-4 and Il-13) responses in the skin of all genotypes (Fig 6C and S5D Fig). Specifically, of the genes up- regulated by Th1/IFNγ, including Ccl5, Cxcl9, Cxcl10 and Cxcl11, only Cxcl9 and Cxcl10 showed slightly increased expression in Spink5 skin (S5E Fig). In contrast, expression of type 17 promoting cytokine Il-23 p19 was enhanced in Spink5 newborn skin. Both Th17-type cytokines Il-17-A and Il-22 were significantly increased in Spink5 and were not detectable in Spink5 Klk5 skin (Fig 6C). Additionally, genes known to be up- regulated by Il-17 such as Defb4, Slpi and Cxcl1 showed elevated expression at the mRNA level in Spink5 skin only (Fig 6D) [34]. IL-17 and IL-22 are also known to up- regulate S100A7, S100A8 and S100A9 expression in human keratinocytes [34,35]. Increased levels of Il-17 and Il-22 transcripts in Spink5 skin coincided with a significant increase in S100a7, S100a8 and S100a9 mRNA expression (Fig 6E). Finally, mast cells and neutrophils were infiltrating Spink5 skin, which is consistent with the recruitment of these cells by this inflammatory environment (Fig 6F, S5F and S6E Figs).

Fig 6

Klk5 deletion results in remarkable suppression of the inflammatory phenotype of NS.

(A-E). Results show remarkable abrogation of pro-allergic and pro-inflammatory cytokines quantified by RT-qPCR. (A) Il-1β, Tslp, Tnf-α; (B) Il-6, Il-18, the type 17 promoting cytokine Il-23p19; (C) Ifn-γ, Il-4, Il-17A, Il-22; (D) Th17 regulated genes Defb4, Slpi, Cxcl1 and Ccl20; (E) Th17/22 regulated genes s100a7, s100a8, s100a9. Data are shown as the mean ± s.e.m. of triplicate amplification for at least five mice per genotype. Results are normalized to wt mean (set as 1.0). *p<0.05, **p<0.005, ***p<0.001 (Mann-Whitney U test). (F) Quantification of mast cells based on toluidine blue staining of skin tissue (mast cells stain purple). An increased number of mast cells was detected in Spink5 dermis; (G) IHC analysis shows abolishment of Tslp expression in Spink5 Klk5 skin as compared to Spink5 ; Scale bar: 50μm.

Collectively, these data demonstrate that Klk5 ablation is sufficient to block the development of cutaneous inflammation and allergy in the context of Lekti-deficiency. Klk5 ablation prevents the expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-allergic cytokines, the infiltration of immune cells and the development of the Th17 inflammatory axis.

Discussion

Our results establish that Klk5 deletion in Spink5 mice leads to remarkable reduction of aberrant epidermal proteolysis and inflammation, restores normal differentiation and drastically improves skin barrier structure and function. They provide in vivo evidence that KLK5 is a key actor and a major therapeutic target in NS.

NS is a complex disease with severe skin inflammation, scaling and constant allergic manifestations for which clinicians and scientists do not have a complete understanding. We and others previously characterized Spink5-deficient mice, which display key features of NS but die shortly after birth [12,13,14]. Although Spink5 Klk5 mice survive the neonatal phase and do not die within few hours as Spink5 do, they do not survive as long as wt animals. The number of patches of dye penetration observed in Spink5 Klk5 did not increase with time, indicating that the mice did not die from a skin barrier defect (S7 Fig). This observation argues for unidentified defaults in Spink5 that are not completely or partially corrected by Klk5 knockout and which could be identified because Spink5 Klk5 mice did not die from dehydration within the first hours of life as Spink5 did. The cause of death of those animals is currently under investigation. Up to now, studies in NS murine models and in patients have unraveled some of the mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology. In NS skin, loss of LEKTI expression leads to unopposed activity of several proteases [12,22,28]. While increased caseinolytic activity was detected in Spink5 skin, we show that knockout of Klk5 had a drastic repressing effect on caseinolytic activity in Spink5 Klk5 skin, confirming the hypothesized role of Klk5 as an initiator of the epidermal proteolytic cascade. The fact that proteolytic activity in Spink5 Klk5 is slightly more elevated than in wt skin reveals that other proteases, independently of Klk5 are still active. Using peptide substrates, we identified Klk7 activity as being still slightly elevated compared to wt, possibly as a result of activation by matriptase or mesotrypsin [8,19,20]. Interestingly, Klk7 and Klk14 mRNA levels were increased in Spink5 skin and were normalized in Spink5 Klk5 . Therefore it appears that Klk5 knockout in Lekti-deficient animals prevents increased Klk expression driven by skin inflammation in Spink5 mice and aberrant proteolytic activity of Klk5 target proteases (Klk7, Klk14 and Ela2) [36,37]. This new murine model in which Klk5 is lacking will be instrumental to decipher the network of activated proteases in NS regardless Klk5. Of note, suppression of caseinolytic activity by Klk5 knockout on Lekti-deficient background was significantly more pronounced than the one previously reported in double knock-out mice for Spink5 and matriptase which is nevertheless involved in Klk5 activation [20]. Elastinolytic activity was also markedly reduced in Spink5 Klk5 epidermis compared to Spink5 , supporting the notion that Klk5 contributes to pro-ELA2 activation, as suggested by in vitro [22] and in vivo studies in transgenic KLK5 mice [23].

NS patients suffer from a profound skin barrier defect. Macroscopic examination of Spink5 newborn mice showed a major peeling of the skin whereas Spink5 Klk5 mice were indistinguishable from wt littermates. Loss of Klk5 leads to skin barrier function recovery as illustrated by the absence of water loss and dye penetration in Spink5 Klk5 mice. Histological examination of Spink5 skin revealed epidermal hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis, typical features of NS skin, consistent with compensatory hyperproliferative mechanisms secondary to skin barrier defects [30]. Another NS skin hallmark is abnormal detachment of the stratum corneum from the underlying granular layer through desmosomal cleavage [12,28]. All these skin abnormalities were not seen after Klk5 deletion in Lekti deficient mice. Several studies have shown that KLK5 is able to degrade Dsg1 and Dsc1 in vitro [9,17]. In Spink5 mouse skin and in NS patients, increased activity of KLK5 and its target proteases leads to desmosomal cleavage through Dsg1 and Dsc1 degradation [12,23,28]. Here we show that Klk5 deletion totally prevented abnormal desmosomal cleavage in Spink5 skin. Additionally, increased Dsg1 and increased number of compact and uncleaved corneodesmosomes in Klk5 confirms the crucial role of Klk5 in the desquamation process in vivo and emphasizes the importance of protease regulation in skin homeostasis. Of note, Il-22 expression was increased in Spink5 skin and was normalized in Spink5 Klk5 . IL-22 is known to induce epidermal hyperplasia and to impair keratinocyte differentiation, and is increased in chronic stages of atopic dermatitis and in psoriasis [34]. Il-22 could therefore contribute to acanthosis and abnormal differentiation in NS which do not develop in Spink5 Klk5 . Consistent with this hypothesis, elevated Il-22 levels were found in mice overexpressing KLK5 in the epidermis [23]. The major alterations in epidermal terminal differentiation markers and Flg processing of Involucrin and loricrin, two protein precursors of the epidermal cornified envelope, were overexpressed in Spink5 newborns [12] and showed normal expression in Spink5 Klk5 . Profilaggrin processing into Filaggrin monomers was increased in Spink5 neonates [12,22], but displayed a normal pattern in Spink5 Klk5 . Finally, Flg expression, which is drastically reduced in Spink5 , was strongly expressed in the granular layer and stratum corneum in Spink5 Klk5 . KLK5 and Ela2 contribute to pro-Flg degradation in vivo and in vitro [22,38]. The observation that Klk5 loss in Spink5 Klk5 leads to a strong decrease of elastinolytic activity confirms the important role of Klk5 and its target protease Ela2 in pro-Flg processing and to a larger extent in epidermal differentiation and skin barrier integrity.

Studies using Spink5 skin grafting experiments and embryo skin have shown increased expression of several pro-inflammatory and pro-allergic molecules such as Il-1β, Tnf-α, Icam-1, Tslp, Ccl17 (Tarc) and Ccl22 (Mdc) [15]. In NS patients, an intrinsic mechanism takes place in keratinocytes and leads to increased expression of TSLP, TNF-α, IL-8 and ICAM-1 as a result of PAR2 activation by active KLK5 [15]. Our study confirms the results previously obtained in another genetic background (C57Bl/6 in our study versus mixed C57Bl/6 and FVB), further characterizes Spink5 skin inflammation and investigates the effect of Klk5 inactivation on NS inflammatory profile. TSLP expression, which is increased in NS skin and in lesional atopic skin, plays a major role in the induction of Th2 pro-allergic response [15,39]. In Spink5 newborn skin, although we measured elevated expression of Tslp and moderate increased expression of Ccl17 and Ccl22, we found no evidence of Th2 response (Il-4, Il-13). Tslp expression was entirely abolished in Spink5 Klk5 skin, confirming a role of Klk5 in Tslp induction. Our results clearly show that Klk5 knockout totally blocks the Par-2 mediated inflammation in Spink5 newborn, in addition to Klk5 direct action on desmosomal cleavage. NS patients suffer from multiple atopic features such as eczematous like lesions, allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, urticaria and angioedema [40]. The development of Th2 environment in Lekti-deficient skin in NS patients and in grafted Spink5 mouse skin could be in part due to an “intrinsic” TSLP production by keratinocytes and infiltrating cells, but also to the skin barrier defect resulting from stratum corneum detachment and Flg degradation, allowing exogenous proteases from dust mites and microbes to activate PAR-2 and to enhance TSLP production [41,42,43]. Our study also revealed early development of a strong Th17 inflammatory axis in Spink5 skin which was totally blocked after Klk5 knockout, supporting the role of Klk5 not only in desmosomal cleavage, but also in the development of Il-17 inflammation. In psoriasis and atopic dermatitis pathogeneses, Th17 cells play an important role in skin inflammation [44,45,46,47]. Il-17A has multiple effects and its main target cells in the skin are keratinocytes. This cytokine increases the expression of antimicrobial peptides, including members of the β-defensin and s100a families, thus stimulating the immune system [34,48]. In addition, IL-17A stimulates keratinocyte expression of multiple chemokines, including CCL20 which may directly recruit CCR6+ cells to the skin, including Th17 and dendritic cells, thereby establishing a chemotactic feedback loop for maintaining inflammatory cells in lesional skin [49]. Il-17A can also contribute to epidermal proliferation and skin barrier disruption. Uncovering of a strong Th17 inflammatory axis in Spink5 skin allows a better understanding of the disease and points to new therapeutic options for NS patients such as IL-17 inhibitors. The mechanisms by which Klk5 deletion totally blocks the development of Th17 response in Spink5 skin remain to be determined. Nonetheless, one could postulate that although IL-17 targeting has the potential to block skin inflammation in NS, stratum corneum detachment would probably not be prevented by this approach, in contrast to KLK5 inhibition which is likely to impact both pathological cascades.

In summary, in this study we have validated the efficacy of KLK5 knockout to reverse major skin abnormalities in NS leading to clinical, morphological and functional correction of the skin. These results establish a central role of KLK5 in NS symptoms and in the complex network of dysregulated cutaneous proteolytic activity. They revealed early development of a strong Th17 response in NS which was totally abolished by Klk5 deletion. Skin abnormalities in NS cause a major epidermal barrier deficiency leading to dehydration, severe cutaneous and systemic infections and inflammation. KLK5 inhibition has the potential to block these events in NS skin and thus appears as a major and promising target for drug development.

Materials and Methods

Materials

All chemicals were obtained from Sigma or Merck. Antibodies against Dsg1 (H-290), Par-2 (SAM11), Dsc1 (L-15), involucrin (M-15), and NIMP-R14 were obtained from Santa Cruz, Tslp (AF555) from R&D systems, loricrin (PRB-145) and filaggrin (PRB-147) from Covance.

Animal handling

All experiments with animals were approved by local ethic committee CEEA 34 Paris Descartes and carried out according to our Institutions Guidelines and EU legislation.

Generation of the Klk5

Mouse embryonic stem cells with targeted deletion in the Klk5 gene were obtained from KOMP (http://www.komp.org) and used to derive chimeric mice with diploid aggregation chimeras [50]. Chimeric mice were found to be 100% transmitters and gave birth to Klk5 mice, which were intercrossed to obtain Klk5 mice.

Genotyping

Genomic DNA was isolated from mouse-tails using Nucleospin (Macherey-Nagel) and subjected to PCR using GoTaq polymerase (Promega). Primer sequences are shown in S1 Table.

RNA isolation and reverse transcription

Total RNAs from mouse tissues were extracted with RNeasy (Qiagen) and treated with DNase according to manufacturer’s instructions. The quality and quantity of RNA were determined by agarose electrophoresis and spectrophotometry. Reverse transcription was carried out with 1 μg of total RNA with MMLV reverse transcriptase (Invitrogen).

Real-time PCR

cDNAs in 25 μl total volume were amplified with Mesa Green (Eurogentec). The sequences of gene-specific primers are given in S1 Table. Gene expression was normalized against Hprt1.

Transepidermal water loss

At least three different measurements were taken for each mouse and averaged and at least eight mice from each genotype were used. Measurements were performed with the EP1 evaporimeter (ServoMed) as described [12]. Results were reported as fold increase over the wt control in order to exclude day-to-day variations in TEWL values depending on independent environmental conditions e.g. humidity.

Toluidine blue staining of neonates

The method of polar lipid removal was used [51]. Neonates were euthanatized and dehydrated by sequential incubation in 25, 50 and 75% methanol in PBS (1 min per step) and finally in 100% methanol. Then, neonates were rehydrated by incubation in the same methanol solutions but in reverse order, washed with PBS and stained with 0.1% toluidine blue O in PBS for 1 h. Mice were photographed following destaining in PBS (2 washes of 1 and 10 min, respectively).

Histology

Skin tissues were fixed in 4% formaldehyde in PBS pH 7.4 for 24 h and, then, embedded in paraffin. 5 μm sections were cut with a microtome. Hematoxylin/eosin/safranin (HES) and toluidine blue staining were performed on paraffin-embedded sections using standard histological techniques.

Immunohistochemistry

Skin tissues were embedded in OCT and sectioned to 5 μm. The sections were fixed in acetone for 10 min, air-dried for 5 min, rehydrated with PBS for 5 min and the endogenous peroxidase activity was blocked with peroxidase blocking solution for 8 min at room temperature (Dako). The slides were incubated in PBS containing 0.3% BSA for blocking and 0.1% Triton X-100 for membrane permeabilisation for 5 min at room temperature. The antibody against, Tslp or Par2 was used at a 1:200 dilution and washed with PBS containing 0.3% BSA. Following incubation with the appropriate secondary antibody (Dako), slides were incubated with the chromogen solution (Dako).

Immunofluorescent stainings

For immunofluorescent stainings, 5 μm paraffin sections were cut from the biopsies, deparaffinized, rehydrated and followed by antigen retrieval using sodium citrate buffer (pH 6). After a 30 minute incubation period with 3% BSA in PBS, the primary antibody was incubated overnight at 4°C at 1:1000 for Dsc1, Dsg1 and NIMPr14 and 1:500 for involucrin, loricrin and filaggrin. The following day, the appropriate secondary antibody was incubated for 60 minutes at room temperature. Nuclei were staining using DAPI at 1μg/ml. Images were taken using a Leica TCS SP8 SMD confocal microscope. Data were analyzed using ImageJ.

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy

For SEM, neonates were decapitated and their heads were fixed in 4% formaldehyde in PBS for 24 h, then, washed twice with PBS and dehydrated in a series of ethanol solutions 25, 50, and 100% (10 min each). Finally, ethanol was replaced with 100% acetone (2 washes, 10 min each). The samples were dried, covered with gold and observed in a Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (JEOL, 6300). For TEM, skin from neonates was excised with 4 mm skin biopsy punches and fixed in a 2% glutaraldehyde and 4% formaldehyde solution in PBS pH 7.4 at 4°C. Then, samples were processed and stained as described [12].

In situ zymography

Skin cryosections (5 μm thick) were mounted on glass slides, rinsed with 2% Tween 20 in PBS and incubated overnight at 37°C with 10 μg ml-1 BODIPY FL casein (Life Technologies) or 100 μg ml-1 BODIPY FL elastin (Life Technologies) in 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0. Sections were rinsed with PBS and visualized with a Leica TCS SP5 AOBS confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Data were analyzed using ImageJ.

Proteolytic activity assays

For proteolytic activity assays, skin was crushed in 1 M acetic acid using a Fast Prep (MP Biomedicals). After overnight extraction at 4°C, insoluble material was removed by centrifugation (13,000 g, 4°C for 30 min) and the supernatant was dried using a Speed-Vac. Proteins were resuspended in water overnight at 4°C and clarified by centrifugation (13,000 g, 4°C for 30 min). Protein content was determined by Bradford assay (Bio-Rad Laboratories). Proteolytic activity was assessed using colorimetric peptide substrates that are preferentially cleaved by different proteases. 25μg of proteins were added to assay buffer (0.1 M Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 0.005% Triton X-100, 0.05% sodium azide) in 96-well plates (final volume 200 μl). Substrates used were 150 μM KHLY-pNA (cleaved by KLK7) and 150 μM Ac-WAVR-pNA (cleaved by KLK14; [24,25]). Plates were incubated at 37°C overnight and activity was analysed by measuring the increase in absorbance at 405 nm compared with substrate only controls.

Filipin staining

Before staining cryosections were washed with PBS for 5 min and incubated with filipin (diluted with PBS to 50 μg/ml) for 30 min at room temperature and in the dark, then, washed with PBS for 10 min mounted with aqueous medium (Dako) and visualized with CLSM with excitation and emission wavelengths 405 and 480 nm, respectively.

Nile red

Nile red was dissolved in acetone and stored at -20°C and, prior to use, diluted to 5 μg/ml in 75% glycerol in water. A drop of this solution was placed on each section and visualized with CLSM with excitation at 488 nm and emission at 520 and 600 nm.

Statistical analysis

All data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism v5 software. In all experiments, at least 4 independent animals per genotype were used. Experiments were repeated two to three times.

In figures, the results of one representative experiment are shown as mean values ± SEM. Comparison between values was performed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Generation of Klk5 mice.

(A) Schematic representation of the knockout cassette between exons 1 and 3 of Klk5 and annealing positions of primers used for genotyping. (B) Example of genomic PCR for wt, heterozygous (Klk5 ) and knockout (Klk5 ) alleles. (C) Tissue expression of the Klk5 gene by RT-PCR, demonstrating strong expression in mouse skin. Complete ablation of Klk5 in expressing tissues was confirmed in Klk5 mice by semi-quantitative RT-PCR (D) and in skin (E) by RT-qPCR.

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Expression of Klk5 and Spink5 mRNA in murine skin.

Absence of detectable levels of Klk5 and Spink5 mRNA after Klk5 and Spink5 knockout in skin. wt and Spink5-/- animals express Klk5 whereas Spink5 is expressed in wt and Klk5 mice only. Absence of both mRNA is confirmed in Spink5 /Klk5 . Data are shown as the mean ± s.e.m. of triplicate amplification for at least four mice per genotype. Results are normalized to wt mean (set as 1.0).

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Quantification of corneodesmosomes in the stratum corneum.

Corneodesmosomes were quantified on TEM pictures between 2 layers of corneocytes. (A) Total number of corneodesmosomes (uncleaved and split ones) is higher in Klk5 and Spink5 /Klk5 ; (B) Klk5 and Spink5 /Klk5 show an increased number of uncleaved corneodesmosomes. Data are shown as the mean ± s.e.m. At least 140 corneodesmosomes were counted for each genotype, *p<0.05, **p<0.005, ***p<0.001 (Mann-Whitney U test).

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(A) Deletion of Klk5 blocks excessive profilaggrin processing in Lekti-deficient epidermis. Immunodetection of profilaggrin (proFlg), filaggrin (Flg), and filaggrin-processing intermediate dimers (2xFlg) and trimers (3xFlg) in epidermal extracts from newborn wt, Spink5 and Spink5 Klk5 detects no abnormal Flg processing in Spink5 Klk5 epidermis. To analyze epidermal lipid organization, skin cryosections were stained with filipin (B) to visualize free cholesterol, and with Nile red (C) for neutral and polar lipids.

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Klk5 deletion results in suppression of the cutaneous inflammatory phenotype of NS.

(A) Par2 immunostaining shows normalized Par2 expression in Spink5 Klk5 compared to Spink5 ; scale bar: 50μm (B-E). Analysis of mRNA expression of cytokines and chemokines in newborn skin quantified by RT-qPCR. (B) Il-25 alarmin; (C) Ccl17 (Tarc), Ccl22 (Mdc), Ccl8; (D) Il-13; (E) Th1 regulated genes Ccl5, Cxcl9, Cxcl10 and Cxcl11. Data are shown as the mean ± s.e.m. of triplicate amplification for at least five mice per genotype. Results are normalized to wt mean (set as 1.0). *p<0.05, **p<0.005, ***p<0.001 (Mann-Whitney U test). (F) Immunohistological analysis of neutrophils (white arrows) in newborn skin shows important neutrophil infiltrate in Spink5 dermis and rare neutrophils in skin of the other genotypes, nuclei are in blue and neutrophils stained in red; scale bar: 25μm.

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Control stainings with isotypes and secondary antibodies.

(A) Staining with isotype and anti-rabbit AF488 secondary antibody, control for Dsg1, Flg and Loricrin immunostainings; scale bar: 25μm (B) Staining with isotype and anti-goat AF555 secondary antibody, control for Dsc1 and Involucrin stainings; scale bar: 25μm (C) Staining with isotype and anti-mouse-HRP secondary antibody, control for Par-2 staining; scale bar: 50μm (D) Staining with isotype and anti-rabbit-HRP secondary antibody, control for Tslp staining; scale bar: 50μm (E) Staining with isotype and anti-rat AF555 secondary antibody, control for NIMP-r14 staining; scale bar: 25μm.

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Spink5 Klk5 mice maintain an intact skin barrier with no sign of aberrant desquamation or inflammation.

Skin barrier integrity and function is drastically improved in the Spink5 Klk5 as assessed by the toluidine blue dye penetration assay. Only a few patches of dye penetration are observed on the body of Spink5 Klk5 mice two days after birth.

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Primer sequences and conditions used for genotyping, real-time PCR, and semi-quantitative RT-PCR.

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