Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 4, 2025
Myeloid Innate Signaling Pathway Regulation by MALT1 Paracaspase Activity
Published on: January 7, 2019
Supplemental Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain NTM048 attenuates imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice
C Ogawa1, R Inoue2, Y Yonejima3
1Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan.
Aims:
Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, is associated with altered intestinal microbiota. Here, we investigated the ameliorative effect of Leuconostoc mesenteroides NTM048 strain in imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis in mice.
Methods And Results:
Mice were administered NTM048 for 21 days alongside the topical application of IMQ on the dorsal skin for 6 consecutive days. IMQ induced psoriatic symptoms such as erythema and scaling and also upregulated interleukin (IL)-17, a key effector cytokine of psoriasis, in the skin. Supplemental NTM048 suppressed these abnormalities, increased the levels of plasma deoxycholic acid (DCA), a secondary bile acid and altered the faecal microbiota composition, as indicated by the increased abundance of Akkermansia and decreased abundance of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Notably, DCA treatment of murine splenocytes reduced IL-17 production.
Conclusions:
The NTM048-mediated reduction of psoriasis was shown to involve the downregulation of IL-17 in mouse skin, which was possibly associated with the plasma DCA derived from intestinal microbiota.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
Our findings propose not only a novel approach for psoriasis reduction but also a crosstalk between the skin and intestine in psoriasis.
Insights
Leuconostoc mesenteroides NTM048 reduced psoriasis symptoms in mice by lowering interleukin-17. This probiotic may improve psoriasis through gut microbiota modulation and increased deoxycholic acid levels.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis.
- Investigating microbial interventions for psoriasis is a growing area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of Leuconostoc mesenteroides NTM048 in a mouse model of imiquimod-induced psoriasis.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the anti-psoriatic effects of NTM048.
Main Methods:
- Mice received NTM048 orally for 21 days with topical imiquimod application.
- Psoriatic symptoms, skin cytokine levels, plasma bile acids, and fecal microbiota were analyzed.
- In vitro assays assessed the effect of deoxycholic acid on IL-17 production.
Main Results:
- NTM048 treatment alleviated psoriatic symptoms like erythema and scaling.
- Interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels in the skin were downregulated by NTM048.
- Plasma deoxycholic acid (DCA) increased, and fecal microbiota composition shifted, with increased Akkermansia and decreased Staphylococcus/Streptococcus.
- DCA treatment reduced IL-17 production in murine splenocytes.
Conclusions:
- Leuconostoc mesenteroides NTM048 demonstrates a therapeutic effect on psoriasis in mice.
- The mechanism involves IL-17 downregulation, potentially mediated by DCA produced by altered gut microbiota.
- This highlights a potential skin-gut axis interaction in psoriasis management.
