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Isolation of Papillary and Reticular Fibroblasts from Human Skin by Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting
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Fibroblast growth factor 21 ameliorates psoriasiform inflammation and epidermal hyperplasia through the regulation of

Xueran Guan1, Xianrong Zhu2, Yuxin Lei2

  • 1Department of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutics Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Chashan, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang Province, China; College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea.

International Immunopharmacology
|May 25, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) reduced psoriasis symptoms by modulating inflammation and restoring autophagy. This suggests FGF21 as a potential therapy for psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Immunology
  • Metabolic Regulation

Background:

  • Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated skin disease with limited long-term treatment efficacy.
  • Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has known anti-inflammatory properties but its role in psoriasis is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic potential of FGF21 in a psoriasis-like mouse model.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying FGF21's effects on skin inflammation and epidermal homeostasis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model for in vivo studies.
  • Conducted histopathological, cytokine, immunohistochemical, and Western blot analyses.
  • Employed in vitro studies with HaCaT and primary human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) to assess FGF21's impact on cellular processes and signaling pathways, including autophagy dependence via chloroquine (CQ) inhibition.

Main Results:

  • FGF21 administration significantly reduced psoriasis-like skin lesions and systemic inflammation in mice.
  • In keratinocytes, FGF21 suppressed inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB activation and restored proliferation-apoptosis balance.
  • FGF21 modulated autophagy, PI3K/AKT, SIRT1, and STAT3 pathways, with its benefits contingent on autophagy restoration.

Conclusions:

  • FGF21 demonstrates therapeutic potential by modulating inflammatory and autophagy-related pathways in psoriasis.
  • FGF21 may serve as a promising therapeutic candidate for psoriasis and other autoimmune inflammatory conditions.
Keywords:
AutophagyFGF21HaCaTNF-ΚbPsoriasisSIRT1

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