Background: The pathogenesis of psoriasis is still not fully understood. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) regulates mitochondrial fission and is implicated in various inflammatory conditions, but research regarding Drp1 in the skin is scarce.
Objectives: To examine Drp1 expression in psoriasis vulgaris lesional skin and the effect of Drp1 expression on keratinocyte proliferation and inflammatory mediator release in vitro.
Materials and methods: Skin biopsies were collected, and the expression of Drp1 and TNF-α was investigated in the skin. Serum TNF-α level was also examined. The effect of Drp1 on keratinocyte proliferation and inflammatory mediator release was evaluated in HaCaT cells following Drp1 transfection. The effect of TNF-α on Drp1 expression was also studied in HaCaT cells.
Results: Drp1 expression was significantly increased and positively correlated with PASI score and TNF-α expression in skin. In HaCaT cells, Drp1 transfection altered cellular ATP and proliferation, induced G2/M arrest, and affected inflammatory mediator (TNF-α, IL-6 and CXCL8) release. Moreover, TNF-α induced Drp1 expression and recovered cellular ATP content and mediator release.
Conclusion: Drp1 is significantly elevated in psoriasis vulgaris skin and positively correlates with disease severity, moreover, in vitro, Drp1 regulates keratinocyte function.
Keywords: TNF-α; dynamin-related protein 1; inflammation; keratinocytes; mitochondria; psoriasis vulgaris.