Systemic and neuronal inflammatory markers in a mouse model of mevalonate kinase deficiency: a strain-comparative study

BACKGROUND/AIM: There is a lack of reliable animal models for the study of the rare auto-inflammatory disease mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD). The one most frequently used is a biochemical model, obtained by treating BALB/c mice in order to block the mevalonate pathway, thus attempting to reproduce the inflammatory pattern presented in patients. This study aims to assess the role played in pathology by the inflammasome and the reliability of this model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We mimicked MKD using two different mice strains (BALB/c and C57BL/6), evaluating typical inflammatory markers of MKD and inflammasome modulation. RESULTS: Without significant differences, both strains exhibited a general MKD-like inflammation, including the modulation of the molecular platform inflammasome, mimicking the characteristics observed in human patients. CONCLUSION: Although with some limitations, the mouse model appears robust and suitable for studying MKD. Results do not seem to vary with the mouse strain used, and appear to be treatment-dependent. Finally, in vivo inflammasome activation was assessed for the first time here.