Topoisomerase III-beta protects from immune dysregulation and tumorigenesis

Sci Adv. 2025 Dec 19;11(51):eady7028. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ady7028. Epub 2025 Dec 19.

Abstract

Topoisomerase III-beta (Top3b) reduces nucleic acid torsional stress and intertwining generated during RNA and DNA metabolism while protecting the genome from pathological R-loops, which otherwise result in DNA breakage and genome instability. By studying Top3b knockout mice (Top3b-KO), we find that the loss of Top3b accelerates the development of spontaneous atypical lymphoid hyperplasia and lymphomas arising in spleens and lymph nodes, organs with prominent Top3b expression. Aging Top3b-KO mice also display splenomegaly and systemic immune alterations including neutrophilia and lymphopenia consistent with chronic inflammation. At the molecular level, Top3b deficiency causes genome-wide R-loop accumulation in splenocytes as measured by CUT&Tag sequencing. Increased R-loops are associated with genomic breaks and activation of immune signaling pathways including innate and adaptive immune cell signaling, IL-4 signaling, FAK signaling, and cGAS-STING. In addition, knocking-out Top3b promotes the rapid development of syngeneic EL4 T cell lymphomas. In conclusion, our work implies that Top3b protects from lymphoma, tumorigenesis, and immune dysregulations.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinogenesis* / genetics
  • Carcinogenesis* / metabolism
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type I* / genetics
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type I* / metabolism
  • Lymphoma / genetics
  • Lymphoma / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type I