Roquin-2 Shares Functions with Its Paralog Roquin-1 in the Repression of mRNAs Controlling T Follicular Helper Cells and Systemic Inflammation

SummaryAccumulation of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and proinflammatory cytokines drive autoantibody-mediated diseases. The RNA-binding protein Roquin-1 (Rc3h1) represses the inducible costimulator ICOS and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in T cells to prevent Tfh cell accumulation. Unlike Rc3h1san mice with a mutation in the ROQ domain of Roquin-1, mice lacking the protein, paradoxically do not display increased Tfh cells. Here we have analyzed mice with mutations that eliminate the RING domain from Roquin-1 or its paralog, Roquin-2 (Rc3h2). RING or ROQ mutations both disrupted Icos mRNA regulation by Roquin-1, but, unlike the ROQ mutant that still occupied mRNA-regulating stress granules, RING-deficient Roquin-1 failed to localize to stress granules and allowed Roquin-2 to compensate in the repression of ICOS and Tfh cells. These paralogs also targeted tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in nonlymphoid cells, ameliorating autoantibody-induced arthritis. The Roquin family emerges as a posttranscriptional brake in the adaptive and innate phases of antibody responses.

► Roquin-1 and Roquin-2 repress Icos mRNA and Tfh cells
► Roquin-2 compensates for Roquin-1 defect when Roquin-1 is absent from SGs
► Roquin-1 and Roquin-2 act in macrophages to repress TNF
► The Roquin paralogs curtail septic shock and autoantibody-dependent arthritis