Heat-shock pretreatment reduces expression and release of TSLP from keratinocytes under Th2 environment

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease of the skin. Current therapy is not curative, and recalcitrant disease is a big stress and challenge for parents and physicians. This study explored the potential role of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP-70) and its anti-inflammatory effects on keratinocyte under TH2 environment.

Human keratinocyte cell line (HaCa T) was stimulated with IL-4, IL-13, and TNF-α to synthesize and secrete thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an important cytokine of immunopathogenesis in atopic dermatitis. Heat shock was performed by immersing the cell-contained flash into a water bath of 45°C for 20 min. Cell viability, TSLP expression, and secretion of HaCa T cells were measured and compared. Possible regulatory mechanisms influencing the expression of TSLP, such as the STAT6 and NF-κB signal pathways, were investigated.

Heat-shock treatment induced intracellular HSP-70 expression in HaCa T cells without affecting cell viability. The induced expression and secretion of TSLP in HaCa T cells were suppressed by heat shock. The NF-κB signal pathway was inhibited by heat shock, leading to decreased TSLP expression and secretion.

Heat stress-induced HSPs can significantly reduce the production and secretion of TSLP from HaCaT cells under Th2 environment. Thus, the evidence highlights the potential role of HSP-70 for atopic dermatitis in the future.