The interferon stimulated gene 12 inactivates vasculoprotective functions of NR4A nuclear receptors

Rationale: Innate and adaptive immune responses alter numerous homeostatic processes that are controlled by nuclear hormone receptors. NR4A1 is a nuclear receptor that is induced in vascular pathologies, where it mediates protection.

Objective: The underlying mechanisms that regulate the activity of NR4A1 during vascular injury are not clear. We therefore searched for modulators of NR4A1 function that are present during vascular inflammation.

Methods and results: We report that the protein encoded by interferon stimulated gene 12 (ISG12), is a novel interaction partner of NR4A1 that inhibits the transcriptional activities of NR4A1 by mediating its Crm1-dependent nuclear export. Using 2 models of vascular injury, we show that ISG12-deficient mice are protected from neointima formation. This effect is dependent on the presence of NR4A1, as mice deficient for both ISG12 and NR4A1 exhibit neointima formation similar to wild-type mice.

Conclusions: These findings identify a previously unrecognized feedback loop activated by interferons that inhibits the vasculoprotective functions of NR4A nuclear receptors, providing a potential new therapeutic target for interferon-driven pathologies.