The effects of TGM1 Mutations in HEK293T and HaCaT cells

Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) is a group of rare inherited skin disorders characterized by remarkable hyperkeratosis. Transglutaminase 1 (TGM1) mutations have been reported to be involved in four different phenotypes of ARCI, including lamellar ichthyosis (LI), non-bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (NBCIE), bathing suit ichthyosis (BSI), and self-improving collodion ichthyosis (SICI) according to the clinical presentation and histopathology. TGM1 has been found as a defective gene in a large amount of patients with LI and some patients with NBCIE, BSI and SICI. To further understand the effect of TGM1 mutations in epidermal cells development, we performed the transcriptome analysis of HEK293T and HaCaT cells transfected with TGM1 shRNA, TGM1 wild-type and mutant clones. The transcriptomic analysis revealed the effects of TGM1 on cell-cell interaction by suppressing genes involved in the gap junctions, tight junctions and desmosomes. These findings suggested that the TGM1 deficiency disturbed the balance of keratinocytes proliferation and differentiation processes and impaired the epithelial barrier function. The results provided the basis for further understanding on the etiology of ARCI.