A Toll-like receptor 7, 8, and 9 antagonist inhibits Th1 and Th17 responses and inflammasome activation in a model of IL-23-induced psoriasis

J Invest Dermatol. 2013 Jul;133(7):1777-84. doi: 10.1038/jid.2013.57. Epub 2013 Jan 31.

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that involves the induction of T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 17 (Th17) cell responses and the aberrant expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β. Copious evidence suggests that abnormal activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) contributes to the initiation and maintenance of psoriasis. We have evaluated an antagonist of TLR7, 8, and 9 as a therapeutic agent in an IL-23-induced psoriasis model in mice. Psoriasis-like skin lesions were induced in C57BL/6 mice by intradermal injection of IL-23 in the ear or dorsum. IL-23-induced increase in ear thickness was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with antagonist. Histological examination of ear and dorsal skin tissues demonstrated a reduction in epidermal hyperplasia in mice treated with the antagonist. Treatment with antagonist also reduced the induction of Th1 and Th17 cytokines in skin and/or serum, as well as dermal expression of inflammasome components, NLRP3 and AIM2, and antimicrobial peptides. These results indicate that targeting TLR7, 8, and 9 may provide a way to neutralize multiple inflammatory pathways that are involved in the development of psoriasis. The antagonist has the potential for the treatment of psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism*
  • Injections, Intradermal
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Interleukin-23 / administration & dosage
  • Interleukin-23 / adverse effects
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Oligonucleotides / pharmacology*
  • Oligonucleotides / therapeutic use
  • Psoriasis / chemically induced
  • Psoriasis / metabolism
  • Psoriasis / pathology*
  • Th1 Cells / pathology*
  • Th17 Cells / pathology*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9 / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Aim2 protein, mouse
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Inflammasomes
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-23
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Nlrp3 protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oligonucleotides
  • TLR8 protein, mouse
  • Tlr7 protein, mouse
  • Tlr9 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9