calcipotriene and Disease-Models--Animal

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of Daivobet and calcipotriol on clinical score and biomarker responses in a modified version of the Scholtz-Dumas psoriasis plaque assay. Furthermore, it was the aim to compare the effects of calcipotriol and betamethasone in the murine psoriasis xenograft model. Twenty four patients with psoriasis were treated topically once daily for three weeks, whereas the grafted mice were treated for four weeks. Clinical responses were scored twice weekly and biopsies were taken at the end of each study to analyse for skin biomarkers by histology and immunohistochemistry. The results clearly demonstrate effects on both clinical signs and biomarkers. In the patient study the total clinical score was reduced significantly with both Daivobet and calcipotriol. Both treatments reduced epidermal thickness, Ki-67 and cytokeratin 16 expression. T cell infiltration was significantly reduced by Daivobet but only marginally by calcipotriol. Both treatments showed strong effects on the epidermal psoriatic phenotype.Results from the xenograft model essentially showed the same results. However differences were observed when investigating subtypes of T cells.The study demonstrates the feasibility of obtaining robust biomarker data in the psoriasis plaque test that correlate well with those obtained in other clinical studies. Furthermore, the biomarker data from the plaque test correlate with biopsy data from the grafted mice.

Topics: Animals; Betamethasone; Biomarkers; Biopsy; Calcitriol; Dermatologic Agents; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Combinations; Endpoint Determination; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Mice; Mice, SCID; Psoriasis; Skin; Skin Tests; Transplantation, Heterologous; Vitamin D

PD-1 is an immunoregulatory receptor that can bind PD-L1 or PD-L2 expressed on stimulated antigen-presenting cells. In this study, isolated antigen-presenting cells (macrophages and dendritic cells) were cultured with IFN-γ, IL-4, or IL-17A, and the expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2 was compared by flow cytometry. Strong upregulation of PD-L1 expression was observed on IFN-γ stimulation of both antigen-presenting cells as well as in response to IL-17A stimulation of macrophages compared with the expression in unstimulated controls. In contrast, only stimulation with IL-4 could upregulate PD-L2 expression on both antigen-presenting cells. Therefore, experiments were performed in murine models, including DNFB-induced contact hypersensitivity, calcipotriol-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin inflammation, and imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis models, to trigger IFN-γ‒mediated T helper type (Th)1-, IL-4‒mediated Th2-, and IL-17A‒mediated Th17-type responses, respectively. In both Th1- and Th17-type immunity models, changes in ear thickness were more severe in Pd-l1‒deficient mice than in wild-type or Pd-l2‒deficient mice. In the Th2-type immunity model, changes in thickness in Pd-l2‒deficient mice were more severe than that in wild-type or Pd-l1‒deficient mice. Collectively, PD-L1 has predominant roles in Th1 and Th17 type immunity, whereas PD-L2 is involved in Th2-type immunity.

Topics: Animals; Antigen Presentation; B7-H1 Antigen; Calcitriol; Cells, Cultured; Cytokines; Dendritic Cells; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dermatitis, Contact; Dinitrofluorobenzene; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Imiquimod; Inflammation; Macrophages; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand 2 Protein; Psoriasis; Skin; Th1 Cells; Th17 Cells; Th2 Cells

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic pruritic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by recurrent eczematous lesions. Interleukin (IL)-33, a cytokine of the IL-1 family, was found to play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. As a key component of the inflammasome, NLRP3 has been mostly described in myeloid cells that to mediate inflammasome activation conducted proinflammatory cytokine production of the IL-1 family. However, the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenesis of AD, as well as IL-33 processing are highly controversial. Whether NLRP3 can mediate IL-33 expression and secretion independently of the inflammasome in the epithelium of AD has remained unclear. In this article, we found the mRNA expression of Il33 and Nlrp3 were notably increased in the lesional skin of AD patients compared to healthy controls. We then found a significant positive correlation between the expression of Nlrp3 and Il33 in the epithelium of MC903-mediated AD mice model, but no changes were observed for Il36α, Il36γ, Il1β, or Il18 mRNA expression, as well as IL-1β or IL-18 production. Overexpression of NLRP3 in human immortalized epithelial cells increased IL-33 expression, whereas siRNA targeting NLRP3 abolished IL-33 expression. In addition, inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation or caspase-1 activity with MCC950 or VX-765 showed no effect on the expression and secretion of IL-33 in AD mice. Unlike myeloid cells, NLRP3 predominantly located in the nucleus of epithelial cells, which could directly bind to Il33 specific-promoters and transactivate it through an interaction with transcription factor IRF4. Furthermore, NLRP3 deficient mice exhibited a significant alleviated epidermis inflammation and decreased mRNA expression and secretion of IL-33 in MC903-mediated AD mice without interfering with TSLP and IL-1β production. Our results demonstrate a novel ability of NLRP3 to function as a crucial transcription factor of IL-33 in epithelium independently of inflammasome that to mediate the pathological process of AD.

Topics: Animals; Calcitriol; Cell Nucleus; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Models, Animal; Epithelial Cells; Gene Expression Regulation; HaCaT Cells; Humans; Inflammasomes; Interferon Regulatory Factors; Interleukin-33; Male; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Protein Binding; RNA, Messenger; Transcription Factors

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a recurrent chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting up to 30% of the children population, and immuno-regulatory therapy that could modify the course of disease is urgently needed. Probiotics have demonstrated therapeutic effects on AD and could potentially regulate the disease process. However, the efficacy of probiotics for AD is inconsistent among different studies, which is mainly due to the elusive mechanism and different species and (or) strains used. In this study, we designed a mixture of five strains of probiotics (named IW5) and analyzed the effect and mechanism of IW5 on calcipotriol (MC903)-induced AD-like dermatitis. We found that IW5 significantly alleviated skin inflammation of the MC903-induced AD in mice. Administration with IW5 induced increased production of regulatory T cells and regulatory dendritic cells (DCregs) in the mesenteric lymph nodes. We also found that the diversity of the gut microbiota in the mice with MC903-induced dermatitis was increased after IW5 administration, and the level of butyrate in the gut was elevated. In cell culture, butyrate induced the production of DCregs. Our study revealed the therapeutic effects of a newly designed probiotics mixture and uncovered a possible mechanism, providing a foundation for future clinical studies.

Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Calcitriol; Cytokines; Dendritic Cells; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dermatologic Agents; Disease Management; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Susceptibility; Female; Immunohistochemistry; Immunomodulation; Inflammation Mediators; Mice; Probiotics

Mouse models for atopic dermatitis (AD) are an indispensable preclinical research tool for testing new candidate AD therapeutics and for interrogating AD pathobiology in vivo. In this Viewpoint, we delineate why, unfortunately, none of the currently available so-called "AD" mouse models satisfactorily reflect the clinical complexity of human AD, but imitate more "allergic" or "irriant" contact dermatitis conditions. This limits the predictive value of AD models for clinical outcomes of new tested candidate AD therapeutics and the instructiveness of mouse models for human AD pathophysiology research. Here, we propose to initiate a rational debate on the minimal criteria that a mouse model should meet in order to be considered relevant for human AD. We suggest that valid AD models should at least meet the following criteria: (a) an AD-like epidermal barrier defect with reduced filaggrin expression along with hyperproliferation, hyperplasia; (b) increased epidermal expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), periostin and/or chemokines such as TARC (CCL17); (c) a characteristic dermal immune cell infiltrate with overexpression of some key cytokines such as IL-4, IL-13, IL-31 and IL-33; (d) distinctive "neurodermatitis" features (sensory skin hyperinnervation, defective beta-adrenergic signalling, neurogenic skin inflammation and triggering or aggravation of AD-like skin lesions by perceived stress); and (e) response of experimentally induced skin lesions to standard AD therapy. Finally, we delineate why humanized AD mouse models (human skin xenotransplants on SCID mice) offer a particularly promising preclinical research alternative to the currently available "AD" mouse models.

Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Calcitriol; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Models, Animal; Haptens; Humans; Mice; Ovalbumin; Skin Physiological Phenomena

Impaired function of filaggrin (FLG) is a major predisposing factor for atopic dermatitis (AD). Several studies on FLG-deficient (Flg

Topics: Animals; Calcitriol; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dermatologic Agents; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Filaggrin Proteins; Inflammation; Intermediate Filament Proteins; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Animals; Betamethasone; Calcitriol; Cytokines; Dermatologic Agents; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Imiquimod; Mice; Ointments; Psoriasis; Skin; Th1 Cells; Th17 Cells

Itch in atopic dermatitis (AD) is aggravated under warm conditions. Transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 3, a member of the thermosensitive transient receptor potential channels, is activated by innocuous heat and is abundantly expressed in keratinocytes. The potential role of TRPV3 in itch is illustrated in TRPV3 channelopathies of humans and mice. However, the role of TRPV3 in heat-induced itch in AD and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here we showed that keratinocytes isolated from patients with AD exhibit enhanced expression and heat sensitivity with hyperactive channel function of TRPV3. Heat stimulus induced enhanced secretion of thymic stromal lymphopoietin, nerve growth factor, and prostaglandin E

Topics: Animals; Calcitriol; Calcium; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Hot Temperature; Humans; Interleukin-33; Keratinocytes; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Nerve Growth Factor; Pruritus; TRPV Cation Channels

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a key cytokine that initiates and promotes allergic inflammation both in humans and mice. It is well known that TSLP is important in initial step of inflammation by stimulating dendritic cells to promote Th2 differentiation of naive T cells. However, TSLP is abundantly produced in the late phase of inflammation, as well; therefore, we focused on the function of TSLP in chronic Th2-type inflammation. By establishing a novel (to our knowledge) chronic allergic skin inflammation mouse model with repetitive challenges of hapten after sensitization, we demonstrated that CD4 T cell-specific deletion of TSLP receptor (TSLPR) resulted in near-complete ablation of ear swelling and infiltration of CD4 T cells and eosinophils, but after second challenge. Of note, TSLPR deletion on CD4 T cells did not affect acute inflammation. As expected, transfer of Ag-sensitized wild-type CD4T cells, but not of TSLPR-deficient CD4T cells, increased skin inflammation in the model upon challenge. Furthermore, production of IL-4 from TSLPR-deficient CD4T cells in inflamed ear lesions was markedly diminished, demonstrating that TSLP-dependent IL-4 production from CD4T cells was critical for the exacerbation of skin inflammation. Similar results were obtained in Th2-type allergic skin inflammation model using MC903. Collectively, these results indicate that TSLP acts directly on CD4 T cells to elicit pathogenesis of Th2 cells, thereby having a critical role in exacerbation of skin inflammation in the chronic phase.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Animals; Calcitriol; Chronic Disease; Cytokines; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Disease Models, Animal; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Interleukin-4; Mice; Receptors, Cytokine; Signal Transduction; Skin; Symptom Flare Up; Th2 Cells; Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin

Wound healing is a complex physiological process that is crucial for reestablishing the epithelial barrier following injury.. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of calcipotriol, a synthetic vitamin D3 analogue, in wound healing in an acute mice wound model.. An excision wound model was established in mice, and the wound healing activity of calcipotriol was evaluated. Human keratinocyte cell lines, HaCaT and NHEK, were utilized in in vitro skin wound healing model. Cytokine expression levels were measured by real-time PCR and ELISA assay. The expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated molecules and the phosphorylation of Yes-associated protein (YAP) was determined by western blotting.. The increase in re-epithelialization by calcipotriol treatment early in the wound was associated with the EMT process. A scratch assay using HaCaT and NHEK cells also showed that calcipotriol administration resulted in effective wound closure. We demonstrated that calcipotriol promoted keratinocyte migration by interfering with the Hippo pathway. Calcipotriol-mediated enhancement of cell migration is related to downregulated phosphorylation of YAP and increased levels of YAP and PDZ-binding motif (TAZ). Mechanistically, we defined that calcipotriol facilitated the crosstalk between the YAP/TAZ and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways, eliciting EMT in keratinocytes during the wound healing process.. These results suggest that the positive effect of calcipotriol on keratinocyte migration is mediated by the induction of EMT via the regulation of Hippo pathway, which promotes the acceleration of wound closure.

Topics: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Animals; Calcitriol; Cell Cycle Proteins; Cell Movement; Disease Models, Animal; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; HaCaT Cells; Hippo Signaling Pathway; Humans; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Keratinocytes; Male; Mice; Phosphorylation; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Re-Epithelialization; Signal Transduction; Skin; Transcription Factors; Transcriptional Coactivator with PDZ-Binding Motif Proteins; YAP-Signaling Proteins

Chronic itch remains a highly prevalent disorder with limited treatment options. Most chronic itch diseases are thought to be driven by both the nervous and immune systems, but the fundamental molecular and cellular interactions that trigger the development of itch and the acute-to-chronic itch transition remain unknown. Here, we show that skin-infiltrating neutrophils are key initiators of itch in atopic dermatitis, the most prevalent chronic itch disorder. Neutrophil depletion significantly attenuated itch-evoked scratching in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis. Neutrophils were also required for several key hallmarks of chronic itch, including skin hyperinnervation, enhanced expression of itch signaling molecules, and upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, activity-induced genes, and markers of neuropathic itch. Finally, we demonstrate that neutrophils are required for induction of CXCL10, a ligand of the CXCR3 receptor that promotes itch via activation of sensory neurons, and we find that that CXCR3 antagonism attenuates chronic itch.

Topics: Animals; Calcitriol; Cell Line; Chemokine CXCL10; Cytokines; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Keratinocytes; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neutrophils; Pruritus; Receptors, CXCR3; Sensory Receptor Cells; Skin

Previous studies have revealed significant alterations in the skin microbiota of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) not only in diversity and composition but also in function, and the tryptophan (Trp) metabolic pathway is attenuated in the skin microbiota of patients with AD.. We sought to assess Trp metabolites on the skin surfaces of patients with AD and to explore the function of the microbial Trp metabolites in skin inflammation in patients with AD.. A gel-patch method was developed to collect metabolites on the skin surface, which were then assessed by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A mouse model of calcipotriol (MC903)-induced AD-like dermatitis was used to evaluate the effects of microbial metabolites on AD, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-null mice and keratinocyte cultures were used to investigate the mechanism.. Major microbial metabolites of Trp were detected on the skin surfaces of healthy subjects, and the level of indole-3-aldehyde (IAId), an indole derivative of Trp catabolism, was significantly lower in lesional and nonlesional skin of patients with AD than that of healthy subjects. IAId significantly attenuated skin inflammation in mice with MC903-induced AD-like dermatitis, and this effect was blocked by an AhR antagonist and abolished in AhR-null mice. Furthermore, IAId was found to inhibit the MC903-induced expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin in keratinocytes in vivo and in vitro, which was mediated by binding of AhR to the thymic stromal lymphopoietin promoter.. IAId, a skin microbiota-derived Trp metabolite, negatively regulated skin inflammation in patients with AD, revealing that skin microbiota play a significant functional role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Topics: Animals; Calcitriol; Cells, Cultured; Cytokines; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Indoles; Keratinocytes; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Microbiota; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; Skin; Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin; Tryptophan; Up-Regulation

In this study, the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Quercetin (Que) on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions was examined. The left ear of mice was applied with MC903, followed by Que. administration daily on the ear for 8 days. Then macroscopic and histologic examination was performed to detect the severity of skin lesions. In the skin section of AD mice, we observed that Que. could reduce the expression of CCL17, CCL22, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α. In vitro, the anti-inflammatory effects of Que. were examined on human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) treated with IFN-γ/TNF-α. To unveil the lncRNAs' regulatory role on Que-activated anti-inflammatory function, the next-generation high-throughput sequencing was performed in HaCat cells with or without Que. treatment, which profiled the expression of lncRNAs and mRNAs, the results illustrated that lnc-C7orf30-2, a lncRNA expressed differentially, was correlated with IL-6 expression. Silencing of lnc-C7orf30-2 by RiboTM lncRNA Smart Silencer proved its role on IL-6 expression. Therefore, the results here demonstrated that topical administration of Que. plays a beneficial role in controlling AD symptoms, which may serve as potential candidate for AD treatment.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Calcitriol; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Cytokines; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Humans; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Quercetin; Skin

A better understanding of the means by which topical vitamin D analogues exert their therapeutic effect on psoriasis is of theoretical and practical importance.. We sought to clarify whether and how the topical vitamin D analogue calcipotriol (CAL) controls the IL-17A-mediated pathogenesis of murine psoriasis-like dermatitis in vivo.. Psoriasis-like dermatitis was induced by the topical application of an imiquimod (IMQ)-containing cream on the murine ear for 4 to 6 consecutive days. For topical CAL treatment, mice were treated daily with CAL solution on the ear before IMQ application.. Mice treated topically with CAL exhibited much milder IMQ-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis compared with vehicle-treated mice, with impaired accumulation of IL-17A-committed T (T17) cells in the lesional skin. The IMQ-induced upregulation of Il12b and Il23a was marked in the epidermis and was abrogated by CAL application, suggesting CAL-mediated suppression of IL-23 expression. CAL inhibited Il12b and Il23a expression by Langerhans cells ex vivo stimulated with IMQ and CD40 cross-linking. Topical CAL also inhibited T17 cell expansion in the draining lymph nodes of IMQ-treated skin, implying a possible effect on T17 cell-mediated dermatitis at distant sites. In fact, topical CAL application on the IMQ-treated left ear resulted in amelioration of T17 cell accumulation and psoriasis-like dermatitis in the right ear subsequently treated with IMQ.. Topical CAL can exert its antipsoriatic effect on CAL-treated lesions and, concomitantly, distant lesions by attenuating the T17 cell accumulation in both CAL-treated lesions and draining lymph nodes.

Topics: Animals; Calcitriol; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Imiquimod; Interleukin-12 Subunit p40; Interleukin-17; Interleukin-23 Subunit p19; Mice; Psoriasis; Th17 Cells

IL-17C is a functionally distinct member of the IL-17 family that was believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Here we confirmed that IL-17C is involved in psoriasis and explored potential roles for IL-17C in atopic dermatitis (AD). An anti-IL-17C antibody, MOR106, was generated that potently and selectively binds to human and mouse IL-17C, thereby inhibiting the binding of IL-17C to its IL-17RE receptor. The antibody inhibited cutaneous inflammation in an IL-23-induced psoriatic-like skin inflammation model. In lesional skin of patients with AD, IL-17C expression levels were increased and localized to keratinocytes and infiltrating immune cells. To determine the contribution of IL-17C to AD pathogenesis, MOR106 was tested in two distinct in vivo models. In the calcipotriol-induced AD model, ear skin inflammation, TSLP, and IL-33 protein production in ears was suppressed by MOR106. Consistently, in the flaky tail strain mouse model, spontaneous development of AD-like skin inflammation was reduced by MOR106. Moreover, serum IgE levels, number of mast cells in skin and T helper type 2-related cytokines IL-4 and CCL17 in serum were all reduced. Overall, our results indicate that IL-17C is a central mediator of skin inflammation beyond psoriasis and is relevant in particular in AD.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Biopsy; Calcitriol; Cells, Cultured; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Humans; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Interleukin-17; Interleukin-23; Keratinocytes; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Primary Cell Culture; Psoriasis; Signal Transduction; Skin

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly debilitating disease with significant health impacts worldwide. It has been a difficult disease to treat because of the wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Therefore, the current clinical management strategies are nonspecific. Previous studies have documented that AD disease progression is precipitated by a combination of skin barrier dysfunction, itch, and immune dysregulation. However, the precise roles played by effector cells and cytokines have not been fully elucidated. To address this, we established a prolonged model of AD, using MC903. The phenotype of this MC903 model closely resembles the one observed in AD patients, including inflammatory parameters, barrier dysfunction, itch, and histopathological characteristics, thereby providing a platform to evaluate targets for the treatment of AD. This model exposed cells and cytokines that are critically associated with disease severity, including eosinophils, TSLP, and IL-4/IL-13. Indeed, eosinophil depletion significantly ameliorated AD pathology, most notably barrier dysfunction, to a similar extent as blocking of the IL-4/IL-13 axis by genetic deletion of STAT6. Thus, this study has identified eosinophils to be critical for the development and maintenance of AD, thereby proposing these effector cells as therapeutic targets for the treatment of AD.

Topics: Animals; Calcitriol; Cell Degranulation; Cytokines; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dermis; Disease Models, Animal; Ear; Eosinophil Peroxidase; Eosinophils; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Interleukin-4; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; STAT6 Transcription Factor; Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin; Water

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease with pruritus and high prevalence. Indeed, 15-30 % of children and 2-10 % of adults from industrialized countries are affected. Acute AD lesions are characterized by epidermal hyperplasia associated with a dominant Th2/Th17 immune response and dermal inflammatory infiltrates. Moreover, the expression of alarmins such as TSLP, IL-33, and IL-25 is upregulated in acute AD lesions. Topical application of vitamin D3 or of its low-calcemic analog MC903 induces changes in skin morphology and inflammation resembling immune perturbations observed in acute lesions of patients with AD. Mice treated with MC903 or vitamin D3 additionally display increased serum IgE levels, as observed in patients with extrinsic AD. Interestingly, these symptoms are not dependent on mouse gender or on genetic background. Thus, the easiness of this mouse model renders it very attractive to study immunologic abnormalities involved in AD development or maintenance. Furthermore, this model might be useful for preclinical studies aiming at unraveling new therapeutic strategies to treat AD. In this chapter, we describe the induction and major features of MC903 and vitamin D3-induced AD-like inflammation in mice.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Animals; Biomarkers; Calcitriol; Cholecalciferol; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Administration Schedule; Ear; Female; Gene Expression; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Keratinocytes; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Receptors, Cytokine; Skin

Tetracycline (TET) has been found to have both antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory effect of topical TET on atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential role of topical TET and its anti-inflammatory effects in a mouse model of AD.. The 2% TET was applied topically to ears of MC903-induced AD-like BALB/c mice once a day. AD-like symptoms and severity were evaluated by assessing skin scoring of dermatitis, ear thickness, and frequency of scratching. Serum IgE and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot was used for analyzing the expressions of TSLP, protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in skin lesions. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to assess the mRNA levels of TSLP and inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β in skin lesions.. Scoring of dermatitis (9.00 ± 0.63 vs. 6.67 ± 1.03, P = 0.001), ear thickness (0.44 ± 0.02 mm vs. 0.40 ± 0.03 mm, P = 0.018), and serum IgE level (421.06 ± 212.13 pg/ml vs. 244.15 ± 121.39 pg/ml, P = 0.047) were all improved in the 2% TET treatment group compared with AD group. Topical TET significantly reduced the serum level of TSLP (119.04 ± 38.92 pg/ml vs. 65.95 ± 54.61 pg/ml, P = 0.011) and both mRNA and protein expressions of TSLP in skin lesions compared with AD group (P = 0.003 and 0.011, respectively), and NF-κB and PAR2 expression in skin lesions were also suppressed (P = 0.016 and 0.040, respectively). Furthermore, expressions of inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-13, and TNF-α in skin lesions were down-regulated in 2% TET group compared with AD group (P = 0.035, 0.008, and 0.044, respectively).. Topical TET exerted anti-inflammatory effects through suppression of TSLP and inflammatory cytokines in AD mouse model, suggesting TET as a potential agent for the topical treatment of AD in the future.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Calcitriol; Cytokines; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Models, Animal; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Interleukin-13; Interleukin-4; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Tetracyclines; Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

The interleukin-23/interleukin 17A (IL-23/IL-17A) cytokine axis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. In this study, we report the effects of topical calcipotriol, camptothecin, clobetasol and tazarotene on the treatment of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like inflammation, the development of which is dependent on the IL-23/IL-17A axis. IMQ-induced epidermal hyperplasia and inflammation in the BALB/c mouse ear were significantly inhibited following clobetasol treatment but not calcipotriol, camptothecin or tazarotene treatments. Real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that the mRNA levels of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in ear skin were significantly decreased by clobetasol. In addition, we observed that calcipotriol, camptothecin and tazarotene failed to show any inhibitory effects on the IL-23/IL-17A/IL-22 axis. We also found that clobetasol treatment inhibited the proliferation of γδ T cells and C-C chemokine receptor type 6 (CCR6) expression induced by IMQ. Calcipotriol, camptothecin and tazarotene not only failed to inhibit this proliferation but also enhanced retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γ (RORγ) expression in IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation. In conclusion, we suggest that clobetasol induces the relief of IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in a mouse model but that calcipotriol, camptothecin and tazarotene cannot. Therefore, we suggest that more in-depth studies on pharmacological effects of tazarotene, camptothecin and calcipotriol should be carried out.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Administration, Topical; Aminoquinolines; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Calcitriol; Camptothecin; Clobetasol; Dermatologic Agents; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Imiquimod; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Nicotinic Acids; Psoriasis; Topoisomerase I Inhibitors

Vitamin D analogues can reduce TGF-β pro-fibrotic signaling in dermal fibroblasts, but they may also induce a potentially pro-fibrotic thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)-dependent Th2 cytokine local response. We have analyzed the net effect of topical vitamin D analogue calcipotriol (CPT) on the cytokine profile and the development of fibrosis in experimental model of bleomycin-induced fibrosis. Mice were simultaneously treated with topical CPT or vehicle cream and skin fibrosis was measured by collagen deposition, Masson's trichrome staining and hydroxyproline content. Cytokine and TSLP gene expression was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. We showed that in bleomycin injected skin, CPT administration significantly enhanced TSLP and IL-13 gene expression, but did not modify the expression of other cytokines. Skin fibrosis and hydroxyproline content were significantly reduced in CPT compared to vehicle-treated mice. In normal skin, topical administration of CPT lacked a direct pro-fibrotic effect. Our results demonstrate that topical CPT superinduces the expression of the TSLP/IL-13 Th2 axis in fibrotic skin, but it has a net anti-fibrotic effect. These data support the therapeutic use of topical vitamin D analogues for skin fibrosis.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Bleomycin; Calcitriol; Collagen; Cytokines; Dermatologic Agents; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Fibrosis; Humans; Hydroxyproline; Interleukin-13; Mice; Mice, Inbred C3H; Scleroderma, Systemic; Skin; Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin; Up-Regulation

Chronic skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with elevated expression of proinflammatory genes and activation of innate immune responses in keratinocytes. microRNAs (miRNAs) are short, single-stranded RNA molecules that silence genes via the degradation of target mRNAs or inhibition of translation.. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-146a in skin inflammation in AD.. RNA and protein expression was analyzed using miRNA and mRNA arrays, RT-quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and immunonohistochemistry. Transfection of miR-146a precursors and inhibitors into human primary keratinocytes, luciferase assays, and MC903-dependent mouse model of AD were used to study miR-146a function.. We show that miR-146a expression is increased in keratinocytes and chronic lesional skin of patients with AD. miR-146a inhibited the expression of numerous proinflammatory factors, including IFN-γ-inducible and AD-associated genes CCL5, CCL8, and ubiquitin D (UBD) in human primary keratinocytes stimulated with IFN-γ, TNF-α, or IL-1β. In a mouse model of AD, miR-146a-deficient mice developed stronger inflammation characterized by increased accumulation of infiltrating cells in the dermis, elevated expression of IFN-γ, CCL5, CCL8, and UBD in the skin, and IFN-γ, IL-1β, and UBD in draining lymph nodes. Both tissue culture and in vivo experiments in mice demonstrated that miR-146a-mediated suppression in allergic skin inflammation partially occurs through direct targeting of upstream nuclear factor kappa B signal transducers caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 10 and IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1. In addition, human CCL5 was determined as a novel, direct target of miR-146a.. Our data demonstrate that miR-146a controls nuclear factor kappa B-dependent inflammatory responses in keratinocytes and chronic skin inflammation in AD.

Topics: Animals; Calcitriol; Cell Movement; Cells, Cultured; Chronic Disease; Cytokines; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunosuppression Therapy; Inflammation; Inflammation Mediators; Keratinocytes; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; MicroRNAs; NF-kappa B; RNA Interference; Signal Transduction; Skin; Up-Regulation

The poor clinical outcome in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is attributed to intrinsic chemoresistance and a growth-permissive tumor microenvironment. Conversion of quiescent to activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) drives the severe stromal reaction that characterizes PDA. Here, we reveal that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in stroma from human pancreatic tumors and that treatment with the VDR ligand calcipotriol markedly reduced markers of inflammation and fibrosis in pancreatitis and human tumor stroma. We show that VDR acts as a master transcriptional regulator of PSCs to reprise the quiescent state, resulting in induced stromal remodeling, increased intratumoral gemcitabine, reduced tumor volume, and a 57% increase in survival compared to chemotherapy alone. This work describes a molecular strategy through which transcriptional reprogramming of tumor stroma enables chemotherapeutic response and suggests vitamin D priming as an adjunct in PDA therapy. PAPERFLICK:

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Calcitriol; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Cell Line, Tumor; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Expression Profiling; Humans; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Molecular Sequence Data; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Receptors, Calcitriol; Signal Transduction; Stromal Cells

It has been indicated that the sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) restrains the ability of dendritic cells to migrate to lymph nodes. Furthermore S1P has been demonstrated to inhibit cell growth in human keratinocytes. However, only little is known about the effect of S1P in hyperproliferative and inflammatory in vivo models.. In this study, locally acting S1P was explored in different experimental mouse models of psoriasis vulgaris.. S1P and FTY720 were tested in the imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model, the mouse tail assay and a pilot study of the severe combined immunodeficiency mice (SCID).. In the imiquimod model the positive control diflorasone diacetate and S1P, but not FTY720 reduced the imiquimod-induced epidermal hyperproliferation of the ear skin. This effect was confirmed in the SCID model, where S1P treated skin from patients suffering from psoriasis showed a decrease in epidermal thickness compared to vehicle. In the imiquimod model, there was also significant inhibition of ear swelling and a moderate reduction of inflammatory cell influx and oedema formation in ear skin by S1P treatment. The inflammatory response on the back skin was, however, only reduced by diflorasone diacetate. In the mouse tail assay, the influence of S1P and FTY720 in stratum granulosum formation was tested compared to the positive control calcipotriol. Whereas topical administration of calcipotriol led to a low but significant increase of stratum granulosum, S1P and FTY720 lacked such an effect.. Taken together, these results imply that topical administration of S1P might be a new option for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis lesions.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Aminoquinolines; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Betamethasone; Calcitriol; Cell Differentiation; Cell Proliferation; Dermatologic Agents; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Fingolimod Hydrochloride; Humans; Imiquimod; Keratinocytes; Local Lymph Node Assay; Lysophospholipids; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, SCID; Propylene Glycols; Psoriasis; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid; Skin; Skin Transplantation; Sphingosine; Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptors; Time Factors

Atopic dermatitis often precedes the development of asthma, a phenomenon known as "atopic march". An important role of allergen sensitization developed through barrier-defective skin has been recognized in the onset of atopic march; however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we use an experimental atopic march mouse model, in which the sensitization to allergen is achieved through barrier-impaired skin, followed by allergen challenge in the airway. By using thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)(iep-/-) mice in which the cytokine TSLP is selectively and inducibly ablated in epidermal keratinocytes, we demonstrate that keratinocytic TSLP, the expression of which is induced by skin barrier impairment, is essential for generating skin allergic inflammation and allergen-induced T helper type 2 response, for developing sensitization to allergen, and for triggering a subsequent allergic asthma. Furthermore, using TSLP(over) mice in which overexpression of keratinocytic TSLP is induced by skin topical application of MC903 (a vitamin D3 analog) in a dose-dependent manner, we show that keratinocytic TSLP levels are correlated with skin sensitization strength and asthma severity. Taken together, our study uncovers a crucial role of keratinocytic TSLP in the "atopic march" by promoting allergen sensitization occurring in barrier-impaired skin, which ultimately leads to allergic asthma.

Topics: Allergens; Animals; Asthma; Calcitriol; Cytokines; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dermatologic Agents; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Immunization; Keratinocytes; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Severity of Illness Index; Skin; Th2 Cells; Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin

Topics: Animals; Calcitriol; Cytokines; DEAD-box RNA Helicases; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Models, Animal; Homeostasis; Keratinocytes; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Ribonuclease III; Skin; Tamoxifen; Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin

The irritant potential of calcipotriol, 1 alpha,24-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (tacalcitol) and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (calcitriol) was compared in a hairless guinea pig model, Randomized, occlusive patch testing for 2 days was used. Each group of 8 animals was tested simultaneously with the 3 substances and a placebo vehicle. 3 dose levels i.e. 500 micrograms/ml, 50 micrograms/ml and 5 micrograms/ml were used. Test sites were evaluated at day 2 (2 h after removal of the patches) and again at day 3. Evaluation was blinded and based on a multiple parameter assessment of skin irritancy, comparing clinical scoring, skin perfusion using high resolution laser Doppler image scanning, skin colour (a*, Minolta ChromaMeter) and skin thickening (20 MHz ultrasound) indicating oedema. Skin biopsies were taken for histological preparation and assessment of epidermal hyperplasia. No difference was observed between the irritant potential for calcipotriol, tacalcitol and calcitriol based on clinical scoring as well as objective non-invasive measuring techniques. All 3 substances showed a dose-dependent and equal increase in clinical irritation score, cutaneous blood flow, skin colour and epidermal hyperplasia. The cutaneous inflammatory reaction was dominated by vasodilation and increased cutaneous perfusion. Oedema formation was only seen at the highest dosages tested. Skin barrier damage was not induced as TEWL remained unaffected. The hairless guinea pig appears a valid model to test irritancy of topical D-vitamins since the same profile of irritancy was previously established in humans for 2 of the compounds tested, calcitriol and calcipotriol.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Calcitriol; Dermatitis, Irritant; Dermatologic Agents; Dihydroxycholecalciferols; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Guinea Pigs; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; Patch Tests; Random Allocation; Reference Values; Skin; Ultrasonography