Ascorbic acid derivative DDH-1 ameliorates psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice by suppressing inflammatory cytokine expression

Protective effect and regulatory mechanism of salidroside on skin inflammation induced by imiquimod in psoriasis mice

Salidroside (SAL) is a glucoside of tyrosol commonly existing in the roots of Rhodiola rosea. This study unveils the protective effect of SAL on skin inflammation in imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis. The mouse model of psoriasis was established by local application of IMQ, and SAL efficacy was evaluated through PASI scoring, H&E staining, and skin tissue pathology observation. The HaCaT cell model was established by interferon (IFN)-γ induction, followed by MTT assay detection of cell viability, detection of ROS, SOD, MDA, and CAT levels in skin tissues and cells using reagent kits, ELISA detection of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), and qRT-PCR detection of psoriasis-related genes (S100a9, Cxcl1, Cxcl2) as well as miR-369-3p and SMAD2 expressions. The binding relationship between miR-369-3p and SMAD2 was validated using dual-luciferase reporter assay. SAL treatment reduced PASI scores and alleviated psoriasis symptoms of IMQ-induced mice, and also augmented the viability and subsided the oxidative stress and inflammation of IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells. SAL treatment restrained miR-369-3p expression but elevated SMAD2 expression. Mechanistically, miR-369-3p targeted SMAD2 expression. miR-369-3p overexpression or SMAD2 inhibition partially offset the alleviating effect of SAL on psoriasis skin inflammation. In conclusion, SAL alleviates skin inflammation in IMQ-induced psoriasis mice via the miR-369-3p/SMAD2 axis.

Single-cell transcriptomic landscape of immunometabolism reveals intervention candidates of ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, fatty-acid degradation and PUFA metabolism of T-cell subsets in healthy controls, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Introduction

The modulation of immunometabolic pathways is emerging as a promising therapeutic target for immune-mediated diseases. However, the immunometabolic features of psoriatic disease and the potential targets for immunometabolic intervention in the different T-cell subsets involved in its pathogenesis remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed circulating blood single-cell data from healthy controls (HC), psoriasis (PSO), and psoriatic arthritis (PSA) patients, and revealed their metabolic features of T-cell subsets: CD4+ central memory T cells (TCMs), CD8+ effective memory T cells (TEMs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAITs ), and γδ T cells. Pearson test was performed to determine the linkages between differential metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Based on these results, we also analyzed the potential impacts of biological antibodies on differential metabolic pathways by comparing the immunometabolism differences between PSA patients without and with biological treatment.

Results

Our results suggest that upregulation of ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, as well as fatty acid degradation, may enhance the immune suppression of Tregs. Enhanced metabolism of alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid may inhibit the pro-inflammatory functions of CD4+ TCMs and CD8+ TEMs in PSO and PSA, and protect the immune suppression of Tregs in PSA. We propose that supporting ascorbic acid and fatty acid metabolic pathways may be an adjunctive reprogramming strategy with adalimumab and etanercept therapy.

Discussion

These findings not only provide insights into immunometabolism characteristics of psoriatic disease, but also offer preliminary options for the auxiliary treatment of psoriasis.

Protective Mechanism of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. Bee Pollen EtOH Extract Against Type II Diabetes in a High-Fat Diet/Streptozocin-Induced C57BL/6J Mice

Bee pollen is known as a natural nutrient storehouse and plays a key role in many biological processes. Based on the preliminary separation, identification, and characterization of the main active components of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. bee pollen (FBP), the protective effects of F. esculentum bee pollen extract (FBPE) on high-fat-diet (HFD) and streptozocin (STZ) induced type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was evaluated in this study. The results revealed that FBPE contains 10 active compounds mainly including luteolin (9.46 g/kg), resveratrol (5.25 g/kg), kaemferol (3.67 g/kg), etc. The animal experiment results showed that FBPE could improve HFD-STZ induced T2DM mice. Moreover, the underlying mechanism of the above results could be: (i) FBPE could reduce the inflammation related to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway, and (ii) the gut microbiota remodeling. The results of correlation analysis showed Candidatus Arthromitus and SMB53 indicated positive correlations to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); Coprococcus, Ruminocossus, and Odoribacteraceae reported negative correlations to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). That FBPE has an outstanding ability to improve T2DM and could be used as a kind of potential functional food for the prevention of T2DM.

Anti-allergic effect of ascorbic acid derivative DDH-1 in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory skin disease, which is characterized by excessive Th2 immune responses. In AD patients, the expression of the chemokines CCL17 and CCL22 is increased in skin lesions, leading to the infiltration of Th2 cells. In addition, typical pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, have also been shown to be associated with the pathogenesis of AD. Recently, DDH-1, an ascorbic acid derivative, has been synthesized and demonstrated to have a more stabilized structure and better skin penetrability. Furthermore, DDH-1 has been shown to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, using an AD mouse model, we evaluated the effect of DDH-1 to reduce allergic skin inflammation. We found that cutaneous administration of DDH-1 significantly reduced the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the skin lesions of AD-like mice. Additionally, DDH-1 administration also significantly reduced the expression levels of CCL17 and CCL22, resulting in decreased skin infiltration of Th2 cells. Consequently, DDH-1 reduced ear and epidermal thickness, the serum IgE levels, and the number of infiltrating inflammatory cells and mast cells into the AD-like skin lesions. Combination treatment with DDH-1 and corticosteroid more efficiently improved the skin lesions compared to corticosteroid alone. Collectively, our results suggest that DDH-1 has an anti-allergic effect in an AD mouse model by reducing not only the pro-inflammatory cytokine expression but also the Th2-associated chemokine expression. Thus, DDH-1 may be beneficial for AD treatment and prevention as a monotherapy or in combination with corticosteroids.

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THDC) Degrades Rapidly under Oxidative Stress but Can Be Stabilized by Acetyl Zingerone to Enhance Collagen Production and Antioxidant Effects

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THDC) is an L-ascorbic acid precursor with improved stability and ability to penetrate the epidermis. The stability and transdermal penetration of THDC, however, may be compromised by the oxidant-rich environment of human skin. In this study, we show that THDC is a poor antioxidant that degrades rapidly when exposed to singlet oxygen. This degradation, however, was prevented by combination with acetyl zingerone (AZ) as a stabilizing antioxidant. As a standalone ingredient, THDC led to unexpected activation of type I interferon signaling, but this pro-inflammatory effect was blunted in the presence of AZ. Moreover, the combination of THDC and AZ increased expression of genes associated with phospholipid homeostasis and keratinocyte differentiation, along with repression of MMP1 and MMP7 expression, inhibition of MMP enzyme activity, and increased production of collagen proteins by dermal fibroblasts. Lastly, whereas THDC alone reduced viability of keratinocytes exposed to oxidative stress, this effect was completely abrogated by the addition of AZ to THDC. These results show that AZ is an effective antioxidant stabilizer of THDC and that combination of these products may improve ascorbic acid delivery. This provides a step towards reaching the full potential of ascorbate as an active ingredient in topical preparations.

The Model of PPARγ-Downregulated Signaling in Psoriasis

Interactions of genes in intersecting signaling pathways, as well as environmental influences, are required for the development of psoriasis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor and transcription factor which inhibits the expression of many proinflammatory genes. We tested the hypothesis that low levels of PPARγ expression promote the development of psoriatic lesions. We combined experimental results and network functional analysis to reconstruct the model of PPARγ-downregulated signaling in psoriasis. We hypothesize that the expression of IL17, STAT3, FOXP3, and RORC and FOSL1 genes in psoriatic skin is correlated with the level of PPARγ expression, and they belong to the same signaling pathway that regulates the development of psoriasis lesion.

Loss of Methylation Modification Marks the Presence of Psoriasis

The reversibility of epigenetic alterations makes them the attractive targets for therapeutic discovery; however, their potential remains untapped owing to a lack of mechanistic understanding, particularly for inflammatory skin disorders. Here, Li and colleagues begin to fill these gaps by identifying the loss of the DNA hydroxymethylation mark 5-hmC in psoriasis and presenting compelling evidence for its potential contribution to disease manifestations.

Loss of the Epigenetic Mark 5-hmC in Psoriasis: Implications for Epidermal Stem Cell Dysregulation

Epigenetic regulation has a profound influence on stem cell fate during normal development in maintenance of physiologic tissue homeostasis. Here we report diminished ten-eleven translocation (TET) methylcytosine dioxygenase expression and loss of the DNA hydroxymethylation mark 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in keratinocyte stem cells and transit amplifying cells in human psoriasis and in imiquimod-induced murine psoriasis. Loss of 5-hmC was associated with dysregulated keratinocyte stem cell kinetics, resulting in accumulation of nestin and FABP5-expressing transit amplifying cells to produce classic psoriatic epidermal architecture. Moreover, 5-hmC loss was accompanied by diminished TET1 and TET2 mRNA expression. Genome-wide mapping of epidermal 5-hmC in murine psoriasis revealed loci-specific loss of 5-hmC in genes regulating stem cell homeostasis, including MBD1, RTN1, STRN4, PRKD2, AKT1, and MAPKAP2, as well as those associated with RAR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. In vitro restoration of TET expression by ascorbic acid was accomplished in cultured human keratinocyte stem cells to show similar Ca⁺⁺-induced differentiation, resulting in increased 5-hmC levels and reduced nestin expression. To our knowledge, an epigenetic deficiency in psoriasis with relevance to stem cell dysregulation has not been previously reported. This observation raises the possibility that epigenetic modifiers that impact on the TET-5-hmC pathway may be a relevant approach of heretofore unappreciated therapeutic utility.

Safety and Efficacy of Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate (Amitose DGA) to Prevent Hand-Foot Skin Reaction in Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma Receiving Sunitinib Therapy: Protocol for a Phase I/II, Uncontrolled, Single-Arm, Open-Label Trial

Background

Hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) is a serious side effect induced by multiple-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). HFSR can cause treatment interruption or decreased dosing. HFSR also markedly decreases quality of life and is associated with the therapeutic efficacy of multiple-TKIs. Therefore, the management and prevention of HFSR is an important issue; however, an effective method for its prevention has not been established. Specific ascorbic acid derivatives can reverse multiple-TKI-induced keratinocyte growth and pathological changes in vitro.

Objective

This study was designed to evaluate the safety of bis-glyceryl ascorbate (Amitose DGA), a novel, hydrosoluble, and moisturizing ascorbic acid derivative, in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) receiving sunitinib therapy. This study was also designed to evaluate Amitose DGA’s preventive efficacy for sunitinib-induced HFSR.

Methods

This is a Phase I/II, single-center, uncontrolled, single-arm, open-label trial. We will recruit a total of 30 patients with RCC receiving sunitinib therapy, with a 2-week-on and 1-week-off schedule. The participants will apply Amitose DGA-containing cream over both palmar and plantar surfaces within two treatment cycles (ie, 6 weeks) of sunitinib in combination with a general moisturizing agent, in addition to standard-of-care processes. Safety assessments will include dermatological abnormalities, clinical laboratory tests, and incidence of adverse events. Efficacy assessments will include development of HFSR and therapeutic outcomes associated with sunitinib.

Results

Recruitment to the study began in August 2017 and is ongoing in Japan. To date, 21 subjects have been recruited. Study completion is expected in 2021.

Conclusions

This is the first clinical study of Amitose DGA-containing cream in patients with RCC who are receiving sunitinib therapy. The single-center, single-arm, open-label design was selected to maximize subject exposure and increase the likelihood of achieving our study endpoints. The results will provide valuable and preliminary evidence of the effects of Amitose DGA-containing cream on HFSR.

Trial Registration

UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000027209; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr /ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000031174

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/14636

Datura Metel L. Ameliorates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-Like Dermatitis and Inhibits Inflammatory Cytokines Production through TLR7/8-MyD88-NF-κB-NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease, and the inflammatory response plays an important role in its development and progression. Datura metel L. is a traditional Chinese medicine that exhibited a significant therapeutic effect on psoriasis in our previous study due to its remarkable anti-inflammatory effect. Meanwhile, the mechanism underlying its effects on psoriasis is still unclear. Methods: An imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis mouse model was constructed to evaluate the protective effect of the effective part of Datura metel L. (EPD), which was verified by evaluations of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemical examination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot were used to measure the inflammatory cytokines and the protein expression associated with the Toll-like receptor 7– myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88–nuclear Factor-κB–nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (Nod)-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (TLR7/8–MyD88–NF-κB–NLRP3) inflammasome pathway. Results: EPD significantly decreased the PASI, reduced epidermal thickness, and decreased the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal cells in psoriasis-like dermatitis C57BL/6 mice induced by imiquimod (IMQ). Furthermore, EPD reduced the infiltration of CD3+ cells to psoriatic lesions, as well as ameliorated the elevations of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and inhibited the production of imiquimod-induced inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, IL-22, IL-23, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Besides, EPD decreased the imiquimod-induced expression levels of TLR7, TLR8, TRAF6, MyD88, p-IKKα, p-IKBα, p-NF-κB, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein contained a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 (caspase-1), and IL-1β. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that EPD exhibited a protective effect on an imiquimod-induced psoriasis mice model by inhibiting the inflammatory response, which might be ascribed to the inhibition of the TLR7/8–MyD88–NF-κb–NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.