ALA‐PDT alleviates the psoriasis by inhibiting JAK signalling pathway

A Portrait of the Chromophore as a Young System-Quantum-Derived Force Field Unraveling Solvent Reorganization upon Optical Excitation of Cyclocurcumin Derivatives

The study of fast non-equilibrium solvent relaxation in organic chromophores is still challenging for molecular modeling and simulation approaches, and is often overlooked, even in the case of non-adiabatic dynamics simulations. Yet, especially in the case of photoswitches, the interaction with the environment can strongly modulate the photophysical outcomes. To unravel such a delicate interplay, in the present contribution we resorted to a mixed quantum-classical approach, based on quantum mechanically derived force fields. The main task is to rationalize the solvent reorganization pathways in chromophores derived from cyclocurcumin, which are suitable for light-activated chemotherapy to destabilize cellular lipid membranes. The accurate and reliable decryption delivered by the quantum-derived force fields points to important differences in the solvent's reorganization, in terms of both structure and time scale evolution.

Qinzhu Liangxue inhibits IL-6-induced hyperproliferation and inflammation in HaCaT cells by regulating METTL14/SOCS3/STAT3 axis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Psoriasis, an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory skin condition, is treatable with Qinzhu Liangxue (QZLX), a therapeutic medicinal plant formula used in clinical practice. However, further investigation is needed to clarify its molecular mechanisms of action.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The potential biological mechanisms of QZLX to alleviate psoriasis involving IL-6-induced hyperproliferation and inflammation by regulating METTL14/SOCS3/STAT3 axis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HaCaT cell model was induced by IL-6, and dealt with serum containing QZLX. In addition, shRNAs and siRNAs were used for gene silencing, viruses were collected 48 h post-transfection and infected HaCaT cells. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay, cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry. Finally, psoriasis mice model was induced by IMQ cream, then back skin tissue was used for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The content of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in cell supernatants were analyzed using ELISA kits. Analysis of SOCS3 was used by quantitative RT-PCR, the expression level of SOCS3, METTL3, METTL14, WTAP, SOCS3, YTHDF2, p-STAT3 and STAT3 in HaCaT cells transduced with METTL14 overexpression was detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

All results indicated that QZLX could significantly alleviate IL-6-induced HaCaT cell viability, cell cycle progression, and inhibit the level of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. The m6A levels and level of METTL14 in HaCaT cells treated with IL-6 were enhanced, while it was reversed by QZLX. METTL14 silencing could inhibit IL-6-induced HaCaT cell viability, cell cycle progression and inflammation response, while SOCS3 overexpression also suppressed METTL14-induced HaCaT cell viability, cell cycle progression and inflammation. QZLX could significantly enhance the expression level of SOCS3, while inhibit the level of METTL14, and p-STAT3/STAT3. In addition, QZLX inhibits METTL14-induced HaCaT cell viability, cell cycle progression, and inhibits the level of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8.

CONCLUSIONS

Our finding suggested that QZLX ameliorated the inflammation response of psoriasis and performed the potential anti-psoriasis effect by regulating METTL14/SOCS3/STAT3 axis in both mice and HaCaT cells psoriasis model. Therefore, our study demonstrated a significant strategy for inhibiting psoriasis inflammation via targeting METTL14/SOCS3/STAT3 axis.

Curcumin Alleviates Epidermal Psoriasis-Like Dermatitis and IL-6/STAT3 Pathway of Mice

Background

To further investigate why curcumin (CUR) can attenuate psoriasis-like dermatitis of mice.

Methods and Results

Sixteen mice were randomized into four groups. The control group used carrier cream, and the model and the CUR group were applied with topical 5% imiquimod in the naked mice skin once a day for 6 days (62.5 mg/day/mice). Meanwhile, the control and model mice were given the same dose of saline by oral means, while mice in the CUR groups received oral drug doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg once a day for 6 days, respectively. CUR could largely improve imiquimod-induced lesions of mice. By using the ELISA and qPCR, we found that the protein and mRNA levels of epidermal TNF-α and IL-6 were inhibited by CUR. The phosphorylation levels of STAT3 and its downstream associated protein levels (eg, Cyclin D1, Bcl-2 and Pim1) in skin tissues of different groups were also inhibited by CUR. Furthermore, the results of immunohistochemistry also showed the repressed effect of CUR for the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and p-STAT3 in psoriasis-like lesions of mice.

Conclusion

CUR can effectively ameliorate the featured lesions of psoriasis mice, which may be closely associated with the involvement of IL-6/STAT3 signaling.

Perturbation of Lipid Bilayers by Biomimetic Photoswitches Based on Cyclocurcumin

The use of photoswitches which may be activated by suitable electromagnetic radiation is an attractive alternative to conventional photodynamic therapy. Here, we report all-atom molecular dynamics simulation of a biomimetic photoswitch derived from cyclocurcumin and experiencing E/Z photoisomerization. In particular, we show that the two isomers interact persistently with a lipid bilayer modeling a cellular membrane. Furthermore, the interaction with the membrane is strongly dependent on the concentration, and a transition between ordered and disordered arrangements of the photoswitches is observed. We also confirm that the structural parameters of the bilayer are differently affected by the two isomers and hence can be modulated through photoswitching, offering interesting perspectives for future applications.

A double-edged sword: ROS related therapies in the treatment of psoriasis

In the onset and progression of psoriasis, redox imbalance is a vital factor. It's widely accepted that too much reactive oxygen species (ROS) always make psoriasis worse. Recent research, however, has shown that the accumulation of ROS is not entirely detrimental, as it helps reduce psoriasis lesions by inhibiting epidermal proliferation and keratinocyte death. As a result, ROS appears to have two opposing effects on the treatment of psoriasis. In this review, the current ROS-related therapies for psoriasis, including basic and clinical research, are presented. Additionally, the design and therapeutic benefits of various drug delivery systems and therapeutic approaches are examined, and a potential balance between anti-oxidative stress and ROS accumulation is also trying to be investigated.

Secure transplantation by tissue purging using photodynamic therapy to eradicate malignant cells

The field of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treating various malignant neoplasms has been given researchers' attention due to its ability to be a selective and minimally invasive cancer therapy strategy. The possibility of tumor cell infection and hence high recurrence rates in cancer patients tends to restrict autologous transplantation. So, the photodynamic tissue purging process, which consists of selective photoinactivation of the malignant cells in the graft, is defined as a compromising strategy to purify contaminated tissues before transplantation. In this strategy, the direct malignant cells' death results from the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through the activation of a photosensitizer (PS) by light exposure in the presence of oxygen. Since new PS generations can effectively penetrate the tissue, PDT could be an ideal ex vivo tissue purging protocol that eradicates cancer cells derived from various malignancies. The challenge is that the applied pharmacologic ex vivo tissue purging should efficiently induce tumor cells with minor influence on normal tissue cells. This review aims to provide an overview of the current status of the most effective PDT strategies and PS development concerning their potential application in ex vivo purging before hematopoietic stem cell or ovarian tissue transplantation.

An Update on Photodynamic Therapy of Psoriasis—Current Strategies and Nanotechnology as a Future Perspective

Psoriasis (PS) is an immune-mediated skin disease with substantial negative effects on patient quality of life. Despite significant progress in the development of novel treatment options over the past few decades, a high percentage of patients with psoriasis remain undertreated and require new medications with superior long-term efficacy and safety. One of the most promising treatment options against psoriatic lesions is a form of phototherapy known as photodynamic therapy (PDT), which involves either the systemic or local application of a cell-targeting photosensitizing compound, followed by selective illumination of the lesion with visible light. However, the effectiveness of clinically incorporated photosensitizers in psoriasis treatment is limited, and adverse effects such as pain or burning sensations are frequently reported. In this study, we performed a literature review and attempted to provide a pooled estimate of the efficacy and short-term safety of targeted PDT in the treatment of psoriasis. Despite some encouraging results, PDT remains clinically underutilized. This highlights the need for further studies that will aim to evaluate the efficacy of a wider spectrum of photosensitizers and the potential of nanotechnology in psoriasis treatment.

Keratin 17 in psoriasis: Current understanding and future perspectives

Keratin 17 (K17) is a multifaceted cytoskeletal protein that is not commonly expressed in the epidermis under normal physiological conditions. However, in psoriasis, K17 is overexpressed in the suprabasal layer of the epidermis and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this review, we have summarized our findings and those reported in other studies concerning the pathogenic functions of K17, as well as the mechanisms underlying the increase in K17 expression in psoriasis. K17 exerts both pro-proliferative and pro-inflammatory effects on keratinocytes. Moreover, K17 peptides trigger autoreactive T cells and promote psoriasis-related cytokine production. In turn, these cytokines modulate the expression, stability, and protein-protein interactions of K17 through transcriptional and translational regulation and post-translational modification of K17 in keratinocytes. Thus, a K17/T-cell/cytokine autoimmune loop is implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, which is supported by the fact that therapies targeting K17 have achieved good outcomes in psoriasis-like mouse models. Future perspectives of K17 in psoriasis have also been discussed to provide potential directions for further studies.

Application of photodynamic therapy in immune-related diseases

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality that utilizes photodamage caused by photosensitizers and oxygen after exposure to a specific wavelength of light. Owing to its low toxicity, high selectivity, and minimally invasive properties, PDT has been widely applied to treat various malignant tumors, premalignant lesions, and infectious diseases. Moreover, there is growing evidence of its immunomodulatory effects and potential for the treatment of immune-related diseases. This review mainly focuses on the effect of PDT on immunity and its application in immune-related diseases.