Alleviation of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like symptoms in Rorα-deficient mouse skin

BMB Rep. 2023 May;56(5):296-301. doi: 10.5483/BMBRep.2022-0169.

Abstract

Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor α (RORα) plays a vital role in various physiological processes, including metabolism, cancer, circadian rhythm, cerebellar development, and inflammation. Although RORα is expressed in the skin, its role in skin physiology remains poorly elucidated. Herein, Rorα was expressed in the basal and suprabasal layers of the epidermis; however, keratinocyte-specific Rorα deletion did not impact normal epidermal formation. Under pathophysiological conditions, Rorα-deficient mice exhibited alleviated psoriasis-like symptoms, including relatively intact epidermal stratification, reduced keratinocyte hyperproliferation, and low-level expression of inflammatory cytokines in keratinocytes. Unexpectedly, the splenic population of Th17 cells was significantly lower in keratinocytespecific RORα deficient mice than in the control. Additionally, Rorα-deficiency reduced imiquimod-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB and STAT3 in keratinocytes. Therefore, we expect that RORα inhibitors act on immune cells and keratinocytes to suppress the onset and progression of psoriasis.as an adjuvant for cancer immunotherapy. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(5): 296-301].

Publication types

  • News

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Imiquimod / adverse effects
  • Imiquimod / metabolism
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Psoriasis* / chemically induced
  • Psoriasis* / drug therapy
  • Psoriasis* / metabolism
  • Skin / metabolism

Substances

  • Imiquimod

Grants and funding

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work was supported by the Science Research Center Program (Cellular Heterogeneity Research Center, NRF-RS-2023-00207857) to KIK, and by the Basic Science Research Program (2020R111A1A01068126) to KCP, through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT).