Peli1 negatively regulates noncanonical NF-κB signaling to restrain systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by uncontrolled secretion of autoantibodies by plasma cells. Although the functional importance of plasma cells and autoantibodies in SLE has been well established, the underlying molecular mechanisms of controlling autoantibody production remain poorly understood. Here we show that Peli1 has a B cell-intrinsic function to protect against lupus-like autoimmunity in mice. Peli1 deficiency in B cells induces autoantibody production via noncanonical NF-κB signaling. Mechanically, Peli1 functions as an E3 ligase to associate with NF-κB inducing kinase (NIK) and mediates NIK Lys48 ubiquitination and degradation. Overexpression of Peli1 inhibits noncanonical NF-κB activation and alleviates lupus-like disease. In humans, PELI1 levels negatively correlate with disease severity in SLE patients. Our findings establish Peli1 as a negative regulator of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway in the context of restraining the pathogenesis of lupus-like disease.