Type I interferon-independent T cell impairment in a Tmem173 N153S/WT mouse model of STING associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI)

Abstract

STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI) is an autoimmune disease caused by heterozygous gain of function mutations of STING (stimulator of interferon genes) that had initially been classified as a type I interferonopathy. We recently reported a genetically engineered mouse strain carrying a common SAVI-associated STING mutation. These STING N153S/WT mice reproduce key features of SAVI, including lung inflammation, loss of T cells in spleen and blood, splenomegaly and thymic hypoplasia. Here we show that αβ T lymphocytopenia is due to disrupted T cell development and is associated with impaired T cell activation and a relative increase in γδ T cell numbers. These alterations were not rescued by additional knockout of the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR1). Collectively, our findings consolidate the concept that constitutive STING signalling leads to a SCID-like phenotype in STING N153S/WT mice.