Tissue-Resident Macrophage-Derived E3 Ligase SMURF2 Restricts Autoimmune Inflammation by Mediating the Degradation of p-TBK1.

ABSTRACT: Dysregulated tissue-resident macrophages (TRMs) contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Uncovering molecular regulators of the divergent role of TRMs in inflammation can advance therapeutic strategies for autoimmune disorders. Here, a significant downregulation of SMAD-specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (SMURF2) is reported in TRMs within inflamed intestinal tissues from both IBD patients and mouse models. Notably, TRM-specific deficiency of Smurf2 significantly exacerbates TRM proliferation in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), leading to augmented autoimmune inflammation. Mechanistically, SMURF2 interacts with phosphorylated TBK1 (p-TBK1), mediating its Lys-27-linked

SUBMITTER: An X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12866865 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature