RIP Kinases in Inflammation and Innate Immune Signaling

RIP kinase 1 (RIPK1) is the founding member of a serine-threonine kinase family that transduces inflammatory and cell death signals following death receptor ligation, activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and DNA damage. RIPK1 is the core component of TNF-induced signaling complexes mediating NFκB and MAP kinase activation, apoptosis and necroptosis, which has recently emerged as a prominent cellular defense mechanism against viral infection (Figure 1). Although not required for TNF-induced NFκB or MAP kinase activation, the kinase activities of RIPK1 and the related RIPK3 are required for necroptosis.

Our understanding of RIPK1 has been hindered by an inability to carry out in vivo studies due to the neonatal lethality associated with a complete RIPK1 deficiency. We generated a Ripk1-deficient mouse and demonstrated that a RIPK1 deficiency results in sensitivity to TNF-induced cell death which is partially rescued by the absence of TNF receptor (Tnfr1) (Kelliher M, et. al. 1998; Cusson N, et. al. 2002). These studies revealed that RIPK1 provides a critical survival signal. To identify tissues and cell types dependent on RIPK1 for survival we developed conditional Ripk1 mice and kinase inactive RIPK1 D138N mice (Figure 2), enabling us to pursue the involvement of RIPK1 in the anti-viral innate immune response and necroptosis rigorously. The knowledge gained from these in vivo studies is essential if we are to use RIPK1 kinase specific inhibitors to limit the inflammatory response to tissue injury without compromising innate immune defenses.

RIPK1 maintains epithelial homoestasis

RIPK1 is implicated in inflammatory and cell death signaling and its kinase activity is thought to drive RIPK3-mediated necroptosis. Studies in the lab have shown that RIPK1 has kinase-independent scaffolding functions that regulate homeostasis and prevent inflammation in barrier tissues by inhibiting epithelial cell apoptosis and necroptosis (Dannappel M, et.al. 2014). Intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) specific deletion of RIPK1 caused IEC apoptosis, villus atrophy, loss of goblet and Paneth cells and premature death in mice that was partially rescued by a TNFR1 deficiency (Figure 2). Epidermis-specific RIPK1 deletion triggered keratinocyte apoptosis and necroptosis and caused skin inflammation that was prevented by RIPK3 deficiency. A RIPK1 kinase inactive knock-in (Figure 4) delayed but did not prevent inflammation. These studies reveal that RIPK1 inhibits RIPK3-mediated necroptosis in vivo.

Hematopoietic RIPK1 deficiency results in bone marrow failure

To identify the lineages and cell types that depend on RIPK1 for survival, we generated conditional Ripk1 mice and examined the effects of Ripk1 deletion in the hematopoietic lineage. A hematopietic RIPK1 deficiency stimulates pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production and hematopoietic cell death, resulting in bone marrow failure. We demonstrate that a RIPK3 deficiency partially rescues hematopoiesis, revealing that RIPK1 mediates survival by preventing RIPK3-mediated necroptosis (Figure 3). These data reveal anti-inflammatory roles for RIPK1, suggesting that RIPK1 negatively regulates RIPK3 activation. Our studies may have translational implications as human bone marrow syndromes such as Aplastic Anemia and Fanconi Anemia overproduce and are hypersensitive to TNF and γ-IFN.

Generation of kinase inactive RIPK1 D138N mice 

RIPK1 kinase inactive mice are viable and protected from TNF-induced necroptosis

To determine the contribution of RIPK1 kinase to inflammation in vivo, we generated knock-in mice endogenously expressing catalytically inactive RIPK1 D138N. Unlike Ripk1 ^-/- mice, which die shortly after birth, RIPK1 ^D138N/D138N mice are viable. Cells expressing RIPK1 D138N are resistant to TNF- and poly (I:C)-induced necroptosis in vitro and remarkably RIPK1 ^D138N/D138Nmice are protected from TNF-induced shock in vivo (Figure 5).