1437-MIF-p38-GSDMD in UVB-Induced Cutaneous Lupus

Paper Talk · Aug 15, 2026 · 17m

This study identifies a novel MIF-p38-GSDMD inflammatory loop that drives cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) following UVB exposure. Using single-cell transcriptomics and lupus-prone mouse models, researchers discovered that UVB triggers a ribotoxic stress response in keratinocytes, leading to the p38-mediated upregulation of NLRP3 and GSDMD-dependent pyroptosis. This process causes the unconventional release of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) through cellular pores, which then binds to CD74 receptors to further amplify the inflammatory cycle. The study demonstrates that…