Resolvin D1 attenuates imiquimod-induced mice psoriasiform dermatitis through MAPKs and NF-κB pathways

Resolvin D1 (RvD1), a pro-resolution lipid mediator derived from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been described to promote several kinds of inflammatory resolution. However, the effects and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of RvD1 on psoriasis have not been previously reported.

The present study aimed to determine the protective effects and the underlying mechanisms of RvD1 on imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasiform dermatitis.

Mice were topically treated with IMQ to develop psoriasiform dermatitis on their shaved back, pretreated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with or without RvD1 or tert-butoxycarbonyl Met-Leu-Phe peptide (Boc), a lipoxin A4 (ALX) receptor antagonist. The severity was monitored and graded using a modified human scoring system, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), histopathology, and the signature cytokines of psoriasis (IL-23, IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α). The mRNA and protein levels of inflammatory cytokines were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) and ELISA. The expressions of signaling proteins MAPKs and NF-κB p65 were analyzed using western blotting. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to check NF-κB p65 DNA binding activity.

Our study showed that RvD1 alleviated IMQ-induced psoriasiform dermatitis and improved skin pathological changes. RvD1 markedly inhibited IMQ-induced activation of ERK1/2, p38, JNK (c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase, a subfamily of MAPKs), and NF-κB. Furthermore, pretreatment with Boc, would not exacerbate skin inflammation of IMQ-induced mice, but significantly reversed the beneficial effects of RvD1 on IMQ-induced psoriasiform inflammation.

RvD1 can obviously improve skin inflammation in IMQ-induced mice psoriasiform dermatitis. The protective mechanisms might be related to its selective reaction with lipoxin A4 receptor/Formyl-peptide receptor 2 (ALX/FPR2), by downregulating relevant cytokines of the IL-23/IL-17 axis expression, the inhibition of MAPKs and NF-κB signaling transduction pathways. Thus, these results show that RvD1 could be a possible candidate for psoriasis therapy.