Project description:Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with repeated exacerbations of eczema and pruritus. Probiotics can prevent or treat AD appropriately via modulation of immune responses and gut microbiota. In this study, we evaluated effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) KBL409 using a house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae)-induced in vivo AD model. Oral administration of L. acidophilus KBL409 significantly reduced dermatitis scores and decreased infiltration of immune cells in skin tissues. L. acidophilus KBL409 reduced in serum immunoglobulin E and mRNA levels of T helper (Th)1 (Interferon-γ), Th2 (Interleukin [IL]-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-31), and Th17 (IL-17A) cytokines in skin tissues. The anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased and Foxp3 expression was up-regulated in AD-induced mice with L. acidophilus KBL409. Furthermore, L. acidophilus KBL409 significantly modulated gut microbiota and concentrations of short-chain fatty acids and amino acids, which could explain its effects on AD. Our results suggest that L. acidophilus KBL409 is the potential probiotic for AD treatment by modulating of immune responses and gut microbiota of host.
Project description:Cold atmospheric plasma has been widely applied in medical treatment clinically, especially skin diseases. However, the mechanism of cold atmospheric plasma on the treatment of skin diseases is still undefined. In this study, dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis mice model was constructed. Cold atmospheric plasma was able to decrease skin cells apoptosis, relieve skin inflammation, ER stress and oxidative stress caused by dinitrofluorobenzene stimulation, which was mediated by cold atmospheric plasma-induced MANF expression. In terms of mechanism, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression was increased intracellularly after cold atmospheric plasma treatment, which further bound to the promoter region of manf gene and enhanced MANF transcriptional expression. This study reveals that cold atmospheric plasma has a positive effect on atopic dermatitis treatment, also demonstrates the regulatory mechanism of cold atmospheric plasma on MANF expression via HIF-1α, which indicates the potential medical application of cold atmospheric plasma for atopic dermatitis treatment.
Project description:During acute rejection of cardiac transplants endothelial cell-leukocyte interaction fueled by co-stimulatory molecules like CD40/CD154 may ultimately lead to graft loss. One key player in up-regulating the expression of such pro-inflammatory gene products is the interferon-gamma-dependent transcription factor STAT-1. Hence down-regulating interferon-gamma-stimulated pro-inflammatory gene expression in the graft endothelial cells by employing a decoy oligodeoxynucleotide (dODN) neutralising STAT-1 may protect the graft. To verify this hypothesis, heterotopic mouse heart transplantation was performed in the allogeneic B10.A(2R) to C57BL/6 and syngeneic C57BL/6 to C57BL/6 strain combination without immunosuppression. Graft vessels were pre-treated with STAT-1 dODN, mutant control ODN (10 muM each) or vehicle (Ringer solution). Cellular rejection (vascular and interstitial component) was graded histologically and CD40, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1, E-selectin and RANTES expression in the graft monitored by real time PCR 24 h and 9 days post-transplantation. Nine days after transplantation both rejection scores were significantly diminished by 85 and 70%, respectively, in STAT-1 dODN-treated allografts as compared to mutant control ODN-treated allografts. According to immunohistochemistry analysis, this was accompanied by a reduced infiltration of monocyte/macrophages and T cells into the graft myocardium. In addition, pro-inflammatory gene expression was strongly impaired by more than 80% in STAT-1 dODN-treated allografts 24 h post-transplantation but not in mutant control ODN or vehicle-treated allografts. This inhibitory effect on pro-inflammatory gene expression was no longer detectable 9 days post-transplantation. Single periprocedural treatment with a STAT-1 dODN thus effectively reduces cellular rejection in mouse heart allografts. This effect is associated both with an early decline in pro-inflammatory gene expression and a later drop in mononuclear cell infiltration.
Project description:Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is one of the most common skin diseases and is characterized by allergic skin inflammation, redness, and itchiness and is associated with a hyperactivated type 2 immune response. The leading causes of AD include an imbalance in the immune system, genetic predisposition, or environmental factors, making the development of effective pharmacotherapies complex. Steroids are widely used to treat AD; however, they provide limited efficacy in the long term and can lead to adverse effects. Thus, novel treatments that offer durable efficacy and fewer side effects are urgently needed. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential of Huangbai Liniment (HB), a traditional Chinese medicine, using an experimental AD mouse model, following our clinical observations of AD patients. In both AD patient and the mouse disease model, HB significantly improved the disease condition. Specifically, patients who received HB treatment on local skin lesions (3-4 times/day) showed improved resolution of inflammation. Using the 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD model in BALB/c mice, we observed that HB profoundly alleviated severe skin inflammation and relieved the itching. The dermatopathological results showed markedly reversed skin inflammation with decreased epidermal thickness and overall cellularity. Correspondingly, HB treatment largely decreased the mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-17, IL-4, and IL-13, associated with declined gene expression of IL-33, ST2, and GATA3, which are connected to the type 2 immune response. In addition, HB restored immune tolerance by promoting regulatory T (TREG) cells and inhibiting the generation of TH1, TH2, and TH17 cells in vitro and in the DNCB-induced AD mouse model. For the first time, we demonstrate that HB markedly mitigates skin inflammation in AD patients and the DNCB-induced AD mouse model by reinvigorating the T cell immune balance, shedding light on the future development and application of novel HB-based therapeutics for AD.
Project description:Here, we report a simple and low-cost oral oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) delivery system targeted to the gut Peyer's patches (PPs). This system requires only Dulbecco's modified eagle's medium, calcium chloride, ODNs, and basic laboratory equipment. ODN nanocapsules (ODNcaps) were directly delivered to the PPs through oral administration and were taken up by macrophages in the PPs, where they induced an immune response. Long-term continuous oral dosing with inhibitory/suppressive ODNcaps (iODNcaps, "iSG3caps" in this study) was evaluated using an atopic dermatitis mouse model to visually monitor disease course. Administration of iSG3caps improved skin lesions and decreased epidermal thickness. Underlying this effect is the ability of iSG3 to bind to and prevent phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6, thereby blocking the interleukin-4 signaling cascade mediated by binding of allergens to type 2 helper T cells. The results of our iSG3cap oral delivery experiments suggest that iSG3 may be useful for treating allergic diseases.
Project description:We evaluated the anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) effect of Atofreellage (AF), a herbal formula composed of 10 medicinal plants. AD was induced on the dorsal skin areas of NC/Nga mice (male, seven weeks old) by daily application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) for five weeks. After three weeks of DNCB application, 200 μL of AF (0, 25, 50 or 100 mg/mL) was applied to the skin lesions. Histological findings, blood cell populations, serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), histamine, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inflammatory signaling in the skin tissue, and T-helper cell type 2 (Th₂)-related cytokines in splenocytes were analyzed. Histopathological findings showed AF treatment notably attenuated the thickness of dorsal skin, and eosinophil infiltration. AF treatment (especially 100 mg/mL) also demonstrably ameliorated the blood cell population abnormalities, as the notable elevation of serum concentrations of IgE, histamine, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were remarkably normalized by AF treatment. Western blot analysis evidenced the apparent normalization of inflammatory signals (ERK, p38 MAP kinase, JNK, and NF-κB) in the skin tissue. Additionally, AF treatment notably attenuated the activation of Th₂-dominant cytokines (IL-13, IL-4, and IL-5) in Con A-treated splenocytes in an ex vivo assay. In conclusion, this study provides experimental evidence for the clinical relevance of Atofreellage.
Project description:BackgroundMeteorin-like protein (METRNL)/Interleukin-41 (IL-41) is a novel immune-secreted cytokine/myokine involved in several inflammatory diseases. However, how METRNL exerts its regulatory properties on skin inflammation remains elusive. This study aims to elucidate the functionality and regulatory mechanism of METRNL in atopic dermatitis (AD).MethodsMETRNL levels were determined in skin and serum samples from patients with AD and subsequently verified in the vitamin D3 analogue MC903-induced AD-like mice model. The cellular target of METRNL activity was identified by multiplex immunostaining, single-cell RNA-seq and RNA-seq.ResultsMETRNL was significantly upregulated in lesions and serum of patients with dermatitis compared to healthy controls (p <.05). Following repeated MC903 exposure, AD model mice displayed elevated levels of METRNL in both ears and serum. Administration of recombinant murine METRNL protein (rmMETRNL) ameliorated allergic skin inflammation and hallmarks of AD in mice, whereas blocking of METRNL signaling led to the opposite. METRNL enhanced β-Catenin activation, limited the expression of Th2-related molecules that attract the accumulation of Arginase-1 (Arg1)hi macrophages, dendritic cells, and activated mast cells.ConclusionsMETRNL can bind to KIT receptor and subsequently alleviate the allergic inflammation of AD by inhibiting the expansion of immune cells, and downregulating inflammatory gene expression by regulating the level of active WNT pathway molecule β-Catenin.
Project description:Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory disease. Animal models are important for studying disease mechanisms and identifying new therapeutic agents. However, owing to AD heterogeneity and complexity, there is currently no mouse model that can fully simulate human AD. We searched experimental articles published between 2017 and 2021 to identify the most suitable AD mouse model. We summarized and compared 614 articles, including details on mouse strains, sex, age, irritants, modeling cycles, and spontaneous mouse models. BALB/c mice (45.3 %) were the most commonly used. Generally, 4-8-week-old mice were used, and 44 irritants were identified. The most common irritant was 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), followed by Dermatophagoides farinae mite antigen extract (DfE). The modeling period was generally 21-30 days. There is no perfect AD animal model, and we suggest selecting the most suitable AD model based on previous research or using two or more models to meet experimental requirements. When exploring allergies and T cell differentiation, it is recommended to use DNCB and DfE separately or in combination to stimulate BALB/c mice and NC/Nga mice for constructing AD models. If researchers want to explore the differentiation of Th17 and Th2 cells, the use of flaky tail mice is recommended. If researchers want to conduct research from the perspective of transcriptomics, it is recommended to increase the construction of IL-23 injected mice.
Project description:Bermekimab is a human-derived recombinant monoclonal antibody that exhibits immunoregulatory activity by specifically blocking interleukin-1α activity. Four phase 2 studies evaluated efficacy and safety of bermekimab in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). In addition, a novel human skin explant model was developed to assess bermekimab pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and proteomic/transcriptomic effects. Study 1 (NCT03496974, N = 38) was an open-label, dose escalation study of subcutaneous bermekimab (200 mg or 400 mg). Study 2 (NCT04021862, N = 87) was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized (1:1:1) study of subcutaneous bermekimab (400 mg every week (qw) or every 2 weeks) or placebo. GENESIS (NCT04791319, N = 198) was a double-blind, placebo- and active-comparator-controlled, randomized (1:1:2:2) study of placebo, subcutaneous bermekimab (350 mg or 700 mg qw), or dupilumab. LUNA (NCT04990440, N = 6) was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized (4:1) study of intravenous bermekimab 800 mg qw or placebo. A novel human ex vivo skin pharmacodynamic assay supported phase 0 (NCT03953196) and phase 1 (NCT04544813) studies. In Study 1, 400 mg subcutaneous bermekimab showed improvement in efficacy assessments (e.g., ≥ 75% improvement of EASI over baseline, IGA 0/1, and worst itch); however, efficacy was not confirmed in Study 2 or GENESIS. Consequently, GENESIS and LUNA were terminated early. The novel human ex vivo skin pharmacodynamic assay demonstrated that bermekimab reduced downstream skin injury responses. Although bermekimab showed potential as an AD treatment in preclinical and early open-label trials, larger controlled studies (Study 2 and GENESIS) did not confirm those initial results.
Project description:Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory allergic skin disease, characterized by pruritic and eczematous skin lesions. Lycopus lucidus Turcz (LLT) is a perennial herb that has been reported to have various biological properties, including effects on blood circulation, as well as anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant, anti‑vascular inflammation and wound‑healing effects. However, whether LLT improves dermatitis and the underlying mechanisms has yet to be determined. The aim of the present study was to determine whether LLT can improve 2,4‑dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)‑induced dermatitis and to verify the inhibitory effect of LLT on the expression of chemokines and pro‑inflammatory cytokines in the HaCaT immortalized keratinocyte cell line. In addition, the anti‑inflammatory function of LLT in RAW264.7 mouse macrophages was investigated. In the DNCB‑induced AD mouse model, LLT inhibited infiltration by mast cells, eosinophils and CD8+ cells in the dorsal skin tissue of AD mice, and suppressed the expression of IgE and IL‑6 in serum. In addition, LLT inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK, as well as NF‑κB in skin tissue. In the HaCaT cell model induced by TNF‑α/IFN‑γ, LLT inhibited the expression of thymus and activation‑regulated chemokine, granulocyte‑macrophage colony‑stimulating factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein‑1, TNF‑α and IL‑1β, whilst inhibiting the phosphorylation of NF‑κB. In addition, in the lipopolysaccharide‑induced RAW 264.7 cell inflammation model, LLT inhibited the expression of TNF‑α and IFN‑γ, the nuclear translocation of NF‑κB and the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK. These results suggested that LLT may be a promising candidate for the treatment of inflammatory dermatitis.