Cold Plasma Irradiation Attenuates Atopic Dermatitis via Enhancing HIF-1α-Induced MANF Transcription Expression

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Dermatology
• Plasma Physics

Background:

• Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is utilized in clinical settings for treating skin conditions, but its precise mechanisms remain unclear.
• Atopic dermatitis is a prevalent inflammatory skin disease with complex underlying pathologies.
• Understanding the molecular pathways modulated by CAP is crucial for optimizing its therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of CAP on atopic dermatitis.
• To elucidate the role of Mesenchymal Associated Nuclear Factor (MANF) in CAP-mediated treatment of skin inflammation.
• To explore the involvement of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) in regulating MANF expression following CAP exposure.

Main Methods:

• Establishment of a dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced atopic dermatitis mouse model.
• Application of cold atmospheric plasma to the affected skin areas in the mouse model.
• Assessment of skin inflammation, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and oxidative stress.
• Analysis of MANF and HIF-1α expression levels using molecular biology techniques.

Main Results:

• CAP treatment significantly reduced skin cell apoptosis, inflammation, ER stress, and oxidative stress in DNFB-induced atopic dermatitis mice.
• CAP administration led to increased intracellular expression of HIF-1α.
• HIF-1α was found to bind to the promoter region of the MANF gene, enhancing its transcriptional expression.
• Upregulation of MANF expression was identified as a key mediator of CAP's therapeutic effects.

Conclusions:

• Cold atmospheric plasma demonstrates a positive therapeutic effect on atopic dermatitis.
• CAP treatment regulates MANF expression through the HIF-1α pathway, highlighting a novel mechanism of action.
• These findings support the potential clinical application of cold atmospheric plasma for treating atopic dermatitis and related inflammatory skin conditions.