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Prevotella copri Exacerbates Psoriasis Through Keratinocyte-Neutrophil Crosstalk via NF-κB Activation

Meijunzi Luo1,2, Jie Gao1,3, Yujin Zhang1,2

  • 1Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Experimental Dermatology
|July 24, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Prevotella copri exacerbates psoriasis by activating skin inflammation through gut-skin axis communication. Targeting this pathway and NF-κB signaling may offer new psoriasis treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Microbiome Research
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease linked to immune dysregulation.
  • The gut-skin axis is implicated in psoriasis, but specific microbial roles are unclear.
  • Prevotella copri (P. copri) is a gut bacterium whose role in psoriasis requires elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of P. copri on psoriasis development.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of P. copri-induced skin inflammation.
  • To explore potential therapeutic targets within the gut-skin axis and NF-κB pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mouse model of psoriasis.
  • Administered P. copri orally to mice and assessed skin inflammation.
  • Performed in vitro experiments stimulating keratinocytes and neutrophils with P. copri.
  • Analyzed the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and inflammasome components.

Main Results:

  • Oral P. copri administration exacerbated skin inflammation, epidermal thickness, and neutrophil infiltration in mice.
  • P. copri enhanced keratinocyte proliferation and pro-inflammatory responses in vitro, activating neutrophils.
  • These effects were mediated by the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
  • Inhibition of NF-κB signaling attenuated P. copri-induced keratinocyte hyperproliferation and neutrophil activation.

Conclusions:

  • P. copri promotes psoriasis progression through NF-κB-mediated crosstalk between keratinocytes and neutrophils.
  • A gut-derived systemic inflammatory mechanism involving P. copri is suggested.
  • Targeting the gut-skin axis and NF-κB pathway presents potential therapeutic strategies for psoriasis.
Keywords:
Prevotella copriNF‐κB pathwaykeratinocytesneutrophilspsoriasis

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