Imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in differentiated Human keratinocytes: Its evaluation using curcumin

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Psoriasis is a systemic immune dysfunction disease.
• The IL-23/IL-17A cytokine axis is implicated in psoriasis pathogenesis.
• Existing animal models for psoriasis research present ethical and complexity challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel in-vitro model for psoriasis using imiquimod-induced differentiated HaCaT cells.
• To evaluate the anti-psoriatic effects of curcumin using this new in-vitro model.
• To assess the potential of this model for screening anti-psoriatic drug candidates.

Main Methods:

• Differentiated HaCaT cells were treated with imiquimod (IMQ) to induce psoriatic-like inflammation.
• The effects of curcumin (25 and 50µM) on IMQ-induced HaCaT cells were investigated.
• Key inflammatory cytokines (IL-17, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6) and skin barrier proteins (iNV, FLG) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Curcumin significantly inhibited the proliferation of IMQ-induced psoriatic-like cells.
• Curcumin treatment led to increased apoptosis and cell death in psoriatic-like cells.
• Curcumin downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines and upregulated skin barrier proteins, enhancing skin barrier function.

Conclusions:

• The developed in-vitro model using IMQ-induced HaCaT cells effectively recapitulates aspects of psoriasis pathogenesis.
• Curcumin demonstrates anti-psoriatic properties by reducing inflammation and improving skin barrier function in this model.
• This novel in-vitro model is suitable for the rapid screening of potential anti-psoriatic drug candidates.