Transduced PEP-1-FK506BP ameliorates atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice

Immunophilin, FK506-binding protein 12 (FK506BP), is a receptor protein for the immunosuppressive drug FK506 by the FK506BP/FK506 complex. However, the precise function of FK506BP in inflammatory diseases remains unclear. Therefore, we examined the protective effects of FK506BP on atopic dermatitis (AD) in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced HaCaT cells and 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced AD-like dermatitis in Nishiki-nezumi Cinnamon/Nagoya (NC/Nga) mice using a cell-permeable PEP-1-FK506BP. Transduced PEP-1-FK506BP significantly inhibited the expression of cytokines, as well as the activation of NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced HaCaT cells. Furthermore, topical application of PEP-1-FK506BP to NC/Nga mice markedly inhibited AD-like dermatitis as determined by a histological examination and assessment of serum IgE levels, as well as cytokines and chemokines. These results indicate that PEP-1-FK506BP inhibits NF-κB and MAPK activation in cells and AD-like skin lesions by reducing the expression levels of cytokines and chemokines, thus suggesting that PEP-1-FK506BP may be a potential therapeutic agent for AD.