Mdivi-1 alleviates atopic dermatitis through the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome

The role of NLRP3 inflammasome in type 2 inflammation related diseases

Type 2 inflammation related diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis, are diverse and affect multiple systems in the human body. It is common for individuals to have multiple co-existing type 2 inflammation related diseases, which can impose a significant financial and living burden on patients. However, the exact pathogenesis of these diseases is still unclear. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a protein complex composed of the NLRP3 protein, ASC, and Caspase-1, and is activated through various mechanisms, including the NF-κB pathway, ion channels, and lysosomal damage. The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a role in the immune response to pathogens and cellular damage. Recent studies have indicated a strong correlation between the abnormal activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the onset of type 2 inflammation. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that suppressing NLRP3 expression effectively diminishes the inflammatory response, highlighting its promising therapeutic applications. Therefore, this article reviews the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the development and therapy of multiple type 2 inflammation related diseases.

Inhibition of Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission improves contrast-induced acute kidney injury by targeting the mROS-TXNIP-NLRP3 inflammasome axis

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical complication known for their extremely high mortality rate and lack of effective clinical therapy. Disorders in mitochondrial dynamics possess a pivotal role in the occurrence and progression of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) by activating NLRP3 inflammasome. The activation of dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp1) can trigger mitochondrial dynamic disorders by regulating excessive mitochondrial fission. However, the precise role of Drp1 during CIN has not been clarified. In vivo experiments revealed that inhibiting Drp1 through Mdivi-1 (one selective inhibitor of Drp1) can significantly decrease the expression of p-Drp1 (Ser616), mitochondrial p-Drp1 (Ser616), mitochondrial Bax, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS), NLRP3, caspase-1, ASC, TNF-α, IL-1β, interleukin (IL)-18, IL-6, creatinine (Cr), malondialdehyde (MDA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and KIM-1. Moreover, Mdivi-1 reduced kidney pathological injury and downregulated the interaction between NLRP3 and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), which was accompanied by decreased interactions between TRX and TXNIP. This resulted in increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and CAT activity, TRX expression, up-regulating mitochondrial membrane potential, and augmenting ATP contents and p-Drp1 (Ser616) levels in the cytoplasm. However, it did not bring impact on the expression of p-Drp1 (Ser637) and TXNIP. Activating Drp-1though Acetaldehyde abrogated the effects of Mdivi-1. In addition, the results of in vitro studies employing siRNA-Drp1 and plasmid-Drp1 intervention in HK-2 cells treated with iohexol were consistent with the in vivo experiments. Our findings revealed inhibiting Drp1 phosphorylation at Ser616 could ameliorate iohexol -induced acute kidney injury though alleviating the activation of the TXNIP-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

Effect of Chloroquine on Type 2 Inflammatory Response in MC903-Induced Atopic Dermatitis Mice

Introduction

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, non-infectious inflammatory dermatosis. Chloroquine (CQ) has long been proven to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Objective

This paper aims to investigate the impact of CQ on type 2 inflammatory response in MC903-induced AD mice.

Methods

An AD mouse model was established via MC903 induction. After CQ treatment, AD mice were intraperitoneally injected with polyinosinic: polycyclic acid [poly (I:C)] or Nigericin. Dermatitis severity was scored, and the thickness of the left ear was measured. The pathological changes in mouse skin tissues were observed by H&E staining. The number of mast cells was counted via TB staining. The content of peripheral blood T-helper 2 (Th2) cells and levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), thymic stromal-derived lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-1β, and IL-18 were assessed by flow cytometry and ELISA. The levels of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), NLRP3, ASC, and cleaved caspase-1 proteins in skin tissues were determined by Western blot.

Results

CQ treatment abated dermatitis severity and left ear thickness in AD mice, alleviated skin damage, reduced mast cell number, diminished IgE, TSLP, IL-4, and IL-13 levels, and peripheral blood Th2 cell content, with no significant changes in IFN-γ level. CQ alleviated type 2 inflammatory response in AD mice by inhibiting the activation of TLR3. CQ suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Activating TLR3/NLRP3 annulled CQ-mediated alleviation on type 2 inflammatory response in AD mice.

Conclusion

CQ alleviated type 2 inflammatory response in AD mice by inhibiting TLR3 activation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Dynasore Alleviates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis

Background

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are clinically severe respiratory disorders without available pharmacological therapies. Dynasore is a cell-permeable molecule that inhibits GTPase activity and exerts protective effects in several disease models. However, whether dynasore can alleviate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI is unknown. This study investigated the effect of dynasore on macrophage activation and explored its potential mechanisms in LPS-induced ALI in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were activated classically with LPS or subjected to NLRP3 inflammasome activation with LPS+ATP. A mouse ALI model was established by the intratracheal instillation (i.t.) of LPS. The expression of PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, and gasdermin D (GSDMD) protein was detected by Western blots. Inflammatory mediators were analyzed in the cell supernatant, in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Morphological changes in lung tissues were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. F4/80, Caspase-1 and GSDMD distribution in lung tissue was detected by immunofluorescence.

Results

Dynasore downregulated nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling and reduced proinflammatory cytokine production in vitro and inhibited the production and release of interleukin (IL)-1β, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and macrophage pyroptosis through the Drp1/ROS/NLRP3 axis. Dynasore significantly reduced lung injury scores and proinflammatory cytokine levels in both BALF and serum in vivo, including IL-1β and IL-6. Dynasore also downregulated the co-expression of F4/80, caspase-1 and GSDMD in lung tissue.

Conclusion

Collectively, these findings demonstrated that dynasore could alleviate LPS-induced ALI by regulating macrophage pyroptosis, which might provide a new therapeutic strategy for ALI/ARDS.

The role of DRP1 mediated mitophagy in HT22 cells apoptosis induced by silica nanoparticles

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are widely used in the biomedical field and can enter the central nervous system through the blood-brain barrier, causing damage to hippocampal neurons. However, the specific mechanism remains unclear. In this experiment, HT22 cells were selected as the experimental model in vitro, and the survival rate of cells under the action of SiNPs was detected by MTT method, reactive oxygen species (ROS), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were tested by the kit, the ultrastructure of the cells was observed by transmission electron microscope, membrane potential (MMP), calcium ion (Ca2+) and apoptosis rate were measured by flow cytometry, and the expressions of mitochondrial functional protein, mitochondrial dynein, mitochondrial autophagy protein as well as apoptosis related protein were detected by Western blot. The results showed that cell survival rate, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, ATP and MMP gradually decreased with the increase of SiNPs concentration, while intracellular ROS, Ca2+, LDH and apoptosis rate increased with the increase of SiNPs concentration. In total cellular proteins,the expressions of mitochondrial functional proteins VDAC and UCP2 gradually increased, the expression of mitochondrial dynamic related protein DRP1 increased while the expressions of OPA1 and Mfn2 decreased. The expressions of mitophagy related proteins PINK1, Parkin and LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ increased and P62 gradually decreased, as well as the expressions of apoptosis related proteins Apaf-1, Cleaved-Caspase-3, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax and Cyt-C. In mitochondrial proteins, the expressions of mitochondrial dynamic related proteins DRP1 and p-DRP1 were increased, while the expressions of OPA1 and Mfn2 were decreased. Expressions of mitochondrial autophagy associated proteins PINK1, Parkin, LC3II/LC3I increased, P62 decreased gradually, as well as the expressions of apoptosis related proteins Cleaved-Caspase-3, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 increased, and Cyt-C expressions decreased. To further demonstrate the role of ROS and DRP1 in HT22 cell apoptosis induced by SiNPs, we selected the ROS inhibitor N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) and Dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) inhibitor Mdivi-1. The experimental results indicated that the above effects were remarkably improved after the use of inhibitors, further confirming that SiNPs induce the production of ROS in cells, activate DRP1, cause excessive mitochondrial division, induce mitophagy, destroy mitochondrial function and eventually lead to apoptosis.

GSDMD suppresses keratinocyte differentiation by inhibiting FLG expression and attenuating KCTD6-mediated HDAC1 degradation in atopic dermatitis

Background

Recent studies have shown that activated pyroptosis in atopic dermatitis (AD) switches inflammatory processes and causes abnormal cornification and epidermal barrier dysfunction. Little research has focused on the interaction mechanism between pyroptosis-related genes and human keratinocyte differentiation.

Methods

The AD dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was used to identify differently expressed pyroptosis-related genes (DEPRGs). Hub genes were identified and an enrichment analysis was performed to select epithelial development-related genes. Lesions of AD patients were detected via immunohistochemistry (IHC) to verify the hub gene. Human keratinocytes cell lines, gasdermin D (GSDMD) overexpression, Caspase1 siRNA, Histone Deacetylase1 (HDAC1) siRNA, and HDAC1 overexpression vectors were used for gain-and-loss-of-function experiments. Regulation of cornification protein was determined by qPCR, western blot (WB), immunofluorescence (IF), dual-luciferase reporter assay, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP).

Results

A total of 27 DEPRGs were identified between either atopic dermatitis non-lesional skin (ANL) and healthy control (HC) or atopic dermatitis lesional skin (AL) and HC. The enrichment analysis showed that these DEPRGs were primarily enriched in the inflammatory response and keratinocytes differentiation. Of the 10 hub genes identified via the protein-protein interaction network, only GSDMD was statistically and negatively associated with the expression of epithelial tight junction core genes. Furthermore, GSDMD was upregulated in AD lesions and inhibited human keratinocyte differentiation by reducing filaggrin (FLG) expression. Mechanistically, GSDMD activated by Caspase1 reduced FLG expression via HDAC1. HDAC1 decreased FLG expression by reducing histone acetylation at the FLG promoter. In addition, GSDMD blocked the interaction of Potassium Channel Tetramerization Domain Containing 6 (KCTD6) and HDAC1 to prohibit HDAC1 degradation.

Conclusion

This study revealed that GSDMD was upregulated in AD lesions and that GSDMD regulated keratinocytes via epigenetic modification, which might provide potential therapeutic targets for AD.

Identification of IRF1 as a Novel Pyroptosis-Related Prognostic Biomarker of Atopic Dermatitis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to characterize key biomarkers associated with pyroptosis in atopic dermatitis (AD). Materials and methods: To identify the differentially expressed pyroptosis-related genes (DEPRGs), the gene expression profiles GSE16161 and GSE32924 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were utilized. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were conducted to determine the potential biological functions and involved pathways. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction network analyses were performed to identify hub genes. The types and proportions of infiltrating immune cells were detected by immune filtration analysis using CIBERSORT. A 12-axis competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed utilizing the miRNet database. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) further validated the differential expression of a key gene IRF1 in the skin tissues collected from AD patients. The collection of skin tissue from human subjects in this study were reviewed and approved by the IRB of Yueyang Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital (KYSKSB2020-125). Results: The study identified a total of 76 DEPRGs, which were enriched in genes associated with the inflammatory response and immune regulation. There was a higher percentage of activated dendritic cells and a lower percentage of resting mast cells in AD samples. PVT1 expression was associated with upregulation of hub genes including CXCL8, IRF1, MKI67, and TP53 in the ceRNA network and was correlated with activated dendritic cells in AD. As a transcription factor, IRF1 could regulate the production of downstream inflammatory factors. The IHC study revealed that IRF1 was overexpressed in the skin tissues of AD patients, which were consistent with the results of the bioinformatic study. Conclusions: IRF1 and its related genes were identified as key pyroptosis-related biomarkers in AD, which is a crucial pathway in the pathogenesis of AD.

Mitochondrial dynamics modulate the allergic inflammation in a murine model of allergic rhinitis

OBJECTIVE

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common allergic disorder, afflicting thousands of human beings. Aberrant mitochondrial dynamics are important pathological elements for various immune cell dysfunctions and allergic diseases. However, the connection between mitochondrial dynamics and AR remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether mitochondrial dynamics influence the inflammatory response in AR.

METHODS

In the present study, we established a murine model of AR by sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA). Then, we investigated the mitochondrial morphology in mice with AR by transmission electron microscopy and confocal fluorescence microscopy, and evaluated the role of Mdivi-1 (an inhibitor of mitochondrial fission) on allergic symptoms, inflammatory responses, allergic-related signals, and reactive oxygen species formation.

RESULTS

There was a notable enhancement in mitochondrial fragmentation in the nasal mucosa of mice following OVA stimulation, whereas Mdivi-1 prevented aberrant mitochondrial morphology. Indeed, Mdivi-1 alleviated the rubbing and sneezing responses in OVA-sensitized mice. Compared with vehicle-treated ones, mice treated with Mdivi-1 exhibited a reduction in interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and specific IgE levels in both serum and nasal lavage fluid, and shown an amelioration in inflammatory response of nasal mucosa. Meanwhile, Mdivi-1 treatment was associated with a suppression in JAK2 and STAT6 activation and reactive oxygen species generation, which act as important signaling for allergic response.

CONCLUSION

Our findings reveal mitochondrial dynamics modulate the allergic responses in AR. Mitochondrial dynamics may represent a promising target for the treatment of AR.

Inhibition of DRP1-dependent mitochondrial fission by Mdivi-1 alleviates atherosclerosis through the modulation of M1 polarization

BACKGROUND

Inflammation and immune dysfunction with classically activated macrophages(M1) infiltration are important mechanisms in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). Dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1)-dependent mitochondrial fission is a novel target for alleviating inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of DRP1 inhibitor Mdivi-1 on AS.

METHODS

ApoE-/- mice were fed with a high-fat diet supplemented with or without Mdivi-1. RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by ox-LDL, pretreated with or without MCC950, Mito-TEMPO, or Mdivi-1. The burden of plaques and foam cell formation were determined using ORO staining. The blood lipid profles and inflammatory cytokines in serum were detected by commercial kits and ELISA, respectively. The mRNA expression of macrophage polarization markers, activation of NLRP3 and the phosphorylation state of DRP1 were detected. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mito-ROS), mitochondrial staining, ATP level and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by mito-SOX, MitoTracker, ATP determination kit and JC-1 staining, respectively.

RESULTS

In vivo, Mdivi-1 reduced the plaque areas, M1 polarization, NLRP3 activation and DRP1 phosphorylation at Ser616. In vitro, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) triggered M1 polarization, NLRP3 activation and abnormal accumulation of mito-ROS. MCC950 and Mito-TEMPO suppressed M1 polarization mediated foam cell formation. Mito-TEMPO significantly inhibited NLRP3 activation. In addition, Mdivi-1 reduced foam cells by inhibiting M1 polarization. The possible mechanisms responsible for the anti-atherosclerotic effects of Mdivi-1 on reducing M1 polarization were associated with suppressing mito-ROS/NLRP3 pathway by inhibiting DRP1 mediated mitochondrial fission. In vitro, similar results were observed by DRP1 knockdown.

CONCLUSION

Inhibition of DRP1-dependent mitochondrial fission by Mdivi-1 alleviated atherogenesis via suppressing mito-ROS/NLRP3-mediated M1 polarization, indicating DRP1-dependent mitochondrial fission as a potential therapeutic target for AS.

The Anti-Atopic Dermatitis Effects of Mentha arvensis Essential Oil Are Involved in the Inhibition of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in DNCB-Challenged Atopic Dermatitis BALB/c Mice

The NLRP3 inflammasome is upregulated by various agents, such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The NLRP3 inflammasome facilitations the maturation of interleukin (IL)-1β, a proinflammatory cytokine that is critically involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Although the NLRP3 inflammasome clearly exacerbates AD symptoms such as erythema and pruritus, drugs for AD patients targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome are still lacking. Based on the previous findings that Mentha arvensis essential oil (MAEO) possesses strong anti-inflammatory and anti-AD properties through its inhibition of the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway, we postulated that MAEO might be capable of modulating the NLRP3 inflammasome in AD. The aim of this research was to investigate whether MAEO affects the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) stimulated with LPS + ATP in vitro and in a murine model displaying AD-like symptoms induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in vivo. We found that MAEO inhibited the expression of NLRP3 and caspase-1, leading to the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1β production in BMDMs stimulated with LPS + ATP. In addition, MAEO exhibited efficacy in ameliorating AD symptoms in a murine model induced by DNCB, as indicated by the reduction in dermatitis score, ear thickness, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), epidermal thickness, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Furthermore, MAEO attenuated the recruitment of NLRP3-expressing macrophages and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in murine dorsal skin lesions induced by DNCB. Overall, we provide evidence for the anti-AD effects of MAEO via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome intervention for synovitis in knee osteoarthritis: A review of TCM intervention

Objective: This paper briefly reviews the structure and function of NLRP3 inflammasomes, signaling pathway, relationship with synovitis in KOA, and intervention of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in NLRP3 inflammasomes as a means to improve its therapeutic potential and clinical application.

Method: Literatures about NLRP3 inflammasomes and synovitis in KOA were reviewed to analyze and discuss.

Result: NLRP3 inflammasome can activate NF-κB mediated signal transduction, which in turn causes the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, initiates the innate immune response, and triggers synovitis in KOA. The TCM monomer/active ingredient, decoction, external ointment, and acupuncture regulating NLRP3 inflammasomes are helpful to alleviate synovitis in KOA.

Conclusion: The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of synovitis in KOA, TCM intervention targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome can be a novel approach and therapeutic direction for the treatment of synovitis in KOA.

The Emerging Roles of Pyroptosis, Necroptosis, and Ferroptosis in Non-Malignant Dermatoses: A Review

Unlike apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis are recently identified modes of programmed cell death (PCD) with unique molecular pathways. Increasing evidence has indicated that these PCD modes play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various non-malignant dermatoses (a group of cutaneous disorders), including infective dermatoses, immune-related dermatoses, allergic dermatoses, benign proliferative dermatoses, etc. Moreover, their molecular mechanisms have been suggested as potential therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of these dermatoses. In this article, we aim to review and summarize the molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis and their roles in the pathogenesis of some non-malignant dermatoses.

Epimedin A ameliorates DNFB-induced allergic contact dermatitis in mice: Role of NF-κB/NLRP3-driven pyroptosis, Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, and inflammation modulation

AIMS

The present study aimed to investigate the potential of epimedin A to ameliorate DNFB-induced allergic contact dermatitis (CD) and reveal its potential underlying mechanisms of action, emphasizing its role in modulating NF-κB/NLRP3, Nrf2/HO-1 pathways, and inflammation.

MAIN METHODS

Seven-week-old BALB/c mice received epimedin A orally for 11 days at doses of 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg/day, starting from the seventh day of DNFB-inducing CD.

KEY FINDINGS

Epimedin A dose-dependently ameliorated DNFB-induced CD, as revealed by the repression of the mice's scratching behavior, dermatitis score, ear thickness and weight, and ear tissue's histopathological changes, and area percent of collagen fibers induced by DNFB. These potentials were due to the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway suppression and the Nrf2 pathway enhancement, as demonstrated by the reduction of NF-κB, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and 8 mRNA expression, and NF-κBp65, IL-1β, MDA levels, and NF-κBp65 binding activity, along with the enhancement of the Nrf2, HO-1, IκB-α, GSH levels, SOD activity, and Nrf2 binding activity. Besides, it suppressed ear tissues' NLRP3 and caspase-8 induced pyroptosis by suppressing the ear tissues' caspase-1, 8, GSDMD upregulation, and LDH activity. Additionally, it repressed the local inflammatory reaction of ear tissue, as evidenced by the reduction of the elevated inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, Il-4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ), the serum level of t-IgE, DNFB s-IgE, s-IgE/t-IgE ratio, and the abrogation of the ear tissues histopathological changes.

SIGNIFICANCE

Epimedin A is a novel, hopeful, natural therapeutic agent for CD by modulating NF-κB/NLRP3, Nrf2 pathways, and inflammation.

Angelica Yinzi alleviates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis by inhibiting activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and down-regulating the MAPKs/NF-kB signaling pathway

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD), characterized by eczema as a chronic pruritic inflammatory skin disease, has become a serious health problem with recurrent clinical episodes. However, current clinical treatments have limited relief and are accompanied by adverse effects. Therefore, there is a necessity to develop new effective drugs for AD treatment. Angelica Yinzi (AYZ) is a classic ancient prescription for nourishing blood, moistening dryness, dispelling wind, and relieving itching. However, its mechanism for alleviating atopic dermatitis remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the effects of AYZ and its potential mechanism in alleviating AD-like symptoms.

Methods

In the present study, we used 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) to establish a mouse model of atopic dermatitis, where DNCB readily penetrates the epidermis to cause inflammation. Histopathological analysis was performed to examine the thickening of dorsal skin and infiltration in the inflammatory and mast cells in C57BL/6 mice. Additionally, the immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The IL-1β and TNF-α expression were detected using qRT-PCR. Next, the Western blotting and immunohistochemistry assays were performed to assess the contribution of MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathways and the NLRP3 inflammasome in AD responses.

Results

Histopathological examination revealed that AYZ reduced the epidermal thickness of AD-like lesioned skin and repressed the infiltration of mast cells into AD-like lesioned skin. AYZ significantly decreased the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, JNK, ERK and NF-κB and downregulated serum IgE levels and IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA levels. Additionally, the NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and IL-1β expression in dorsal skin were effectively down-regulated following AYZ treatment (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01).

Conclusion

These findings revealed that AYZ effectively suppressed AD-induced skin inflammation by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the MAPKs/NF-kB signaling. Therefore, AYZ is a potential therapeutic agent against AD in the clinical setting.

Integrated Bioinformatics and Validation Reveal IL1B and Its Related Molecules as Potential Biomarkers in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Background

The etiopathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) has not been fully understood, and there has been extensive interest in the interaction between inflammatory dermatosis and pyroptosis. This study intends to investigate the molecular mechanism of pyroptosis-related genes in CSU via bioinformatic ways, aiming at identifying the potential key biomarker.

Methods

GSE72540, the RNA expression profile dataset of CSU, was utilized as the training set, and GSE57178 as the validation set. Differently expressed pyroptosis-related genes (DEPRGs), GO, KEGG, and DO analyses were performed. The hub genes were explored by the protein–protein interaction analysis. Moreover, CIBERSORT was employed for estimating immune cell types and proportions. Then, we constructed a DEmRNA–miRNA–DElncRNA ceRNA network and a drug–gene interaction network. Finally, ELISA was used for gene expression analysis.

Results

We recognized 17 DEPRGs, whose enrichment analyses showed that they were mostly enriched in inflammatory response and immunomodulation. Moreover, 5 hub genes (IL1B, TNF, and IRF1 are upregulated, HMGB1 and P2RX7 are downregulated) were identified via the PPI network and verified by a validation set. Then immune infiltration analysis displayed that compared with normal tissue, CSU owned a significantly higher proportion of mast cells activated, but a lower proportion of T cells CD4 naive and so on. Furthermore, IL1B was statistically and positively associated with mast cells activated in CSU, and SNHG3, the upstream factor of IL1B in the ceRNA we constructed, also related with mast cells in CSU. Further analysis exhibited that the protein subcellular localization of IL1B was extracellular, according with its intercellular regulation role; IL1B was significantly correlated with key immune checkpoints; and the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway was the mainly involved pathway of IL1B based on the couple databases. What is more, the result of ELISA of CSU patients was the same as the above analyses about IL1B. In addition, the drug–gene interaction network contained 15 potential therapeutic drugs targeting IL1B, and molecular docking might make this relationship viable.

Conclusion

IL1B and its related molecules might play a key role in the development of CSU and could be potential biomarkers in CSU.