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Human urine-derived stem cells alleviate psoriasis by suppressing JAK2/STAT3 pathway-mediated macrophage polarization

You-Qiong Zhuo1,2, Qi-Ming Huang2,3, Hao-Cheng Gu2,3,4

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, P. R. China.

Stem Cell Research & Therapy
|December 17, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Human urine-derived stem cells (hUSCs) alleviate psoriasis by modulating macrophage polarization via TGF-β1 and JAK2/STAT3 signaling. This study reveals hUSCs as a safe and effective cellular therapy for psoriasis.

Area of Science:

  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Immunology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease characterized by immune dysregulation and aberrant keratinocyte proliferation.
  • Imbalance in M1/M2 macrophage polarization is implicated in psoriasis pathogenesis, but mechanisms remain unclear.
  • Mesenchymal stem cells show therapeutic potential for psoriasis due to their immunomodulatory properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic role of human urine-derived stem cells (hUSCs) in mouse models of psoriasis.
  • To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of hUSCs in treating psoriasis.

Main Methods:

  • hUSCs were isolated, cultured, and characterized for differentiation potential and tumorigenicity.
  • Therapeutic effects and mechanisms were assessed using imiquimod-induced mouse psoriasis models and cell models.
  • Techniques included histology, immunofluorescence, ELISA, flow cytometry, antibody array, western blot, and qRT-PCR.

Main Results:

  • hUSCs demonstrated self-renewal, multipotent differentiation, low immunogenicity, and lack of tumorigenicity.
  • hUSCs alleviated psoriasis symptoms by inhibiting macrophage infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine release.
  • hUSCs suppressed M1 and promoted M2 macrophage polarization via TGF-β1 inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, also reducing NETs formation.

Conclusions:

  • hUSCs effectively ameliorate psoriasis by shifting macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 through TGF-β1 mediated JAK2/STAT3 pathway inhibition.
  • This study reveals a novel molecular mechanism for hUSCs in psoriasis treatment.
  • hUSCs represent a promising, safe, and effective cellular therapy for psoriasis.
Keywords:
Human urine-derived stem cellsJAK2/STAT3Macrophage polarizationPsoriasisTGF-β1

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