Cells In Inflamed Skin Research Articles

Immune cells in skin inflammation, wound healing, and skin cancer.

Given the self-evident importance of cutaneous immunity in the maintenance of body-surface homeostasis, disturbance of the steady-state skin is inextricably intertwined with dysfunction in cutaneous immunity. It is often overlooked by people that skin, well-known as a solid physical barrier, is also a strong immunological barrier, considering the abundant presence of immune cells including lymphocytes, granulocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages. What's more, humoral immune components including cytokines, immunoglobulins, and antimicrobial peptides are also rich in the skin. This review centers on skin inflammation (acute and chronic, infection and aseptic inflammation), wound healing, and skin cancer to elucidate the elaborate network of immune cells in skin diseases.

926 The role of HTR2A on langerhans cells in skin inflammation

926 The role of HTR2A on langerhans cells in skin inflammation

The Role of B Cells in Skin Inflammation

The role of B cells in skin inflammation highlights the versatility of B cells in their response to diverse immune stimuli perceived as external threats to the host. B cells play a vital role in the immune system’s ability to effectively respond to offenses to the healthy skin microenvironment, such as wounds, malignant tumors, vector (tick)-borne pathogens, and the development of red meat allergies after a tick bite. Select examples from the literature that illustrate the role of B cells in these disrupted states reviewed individually below, and highlight little overlap in the role B cells play in the different diseases. Future studies will need to continue to research the relatively newfound role of B cells in maintaining healthy skin.

Intravital Imaging of Regulatory T Cells in Inflamed Skin.

Regulatory T cells play key roles in skin homeostasis and inflammation and in regulating antitumor responses. Understanding of the biology of this cell type has been improved by the use of intravital microscopy for their visualization in various organs. Here we describe a multiphoton microscopy-based technique for intravital imaging of regulatory T cells in the skin. We provide a protocol for a model of antigen-dependent inflammation that induces robust regulatory T cell recruitment to the skin and describe the use of a regulatory T cell reporter mouse for visualization of these cells in inflamed skin.

Influence of the Th1 Cytokine Environment on CCL5 Production from Langerhans Cells.

In the chronic skin lesions of atopic dermatitis (AD), T helper type 1 (Th1) cells appear in addition to Th2 cells, but the role played by Th1 cells in skin inflammation during the chronic phase remains unknown. Here we examined CCL5 production from Langerhans cells (LCs) in the Th1 cytokine environment. LCs were generated from mouse bone marrow cells, then stimulated with anti-CD40 antibody and the Th1 cytokine, interferon (IFN)-γ. Their CCL5 production was then measured. In addition, the LCs were incubated with naïve CD4+ T cells from a DO 11.10 TCR Tg mouse in the presence of ovalbumin peptide for 5 d, and their IFN-γ, interleukin-4 and CCL5 production was then measured. When LCs were stimulated with the anti-CD40 antibody in the presence of IFN-γ, significant levels of CCL5 production were confirmed. Furthermore, when LCs presented antigen to Th cells in the Th1 cytokine environment, significant levels of CCL5 production were induced. This CCL5 production was associated with IFN-γ activity and CD40L expression by Th cells in the culture. Our present data suggest that LCs augment CCL5 production by responding to IFN-γ while presenting antigen to Th cells, and that this augmentation of CCL5 production would likely contribute to infiltration of eosinophils and other Th1 cells into skin lesions, followed by expansion of chronic inflammation in the skin.

Chemokines and Innate Lymphoid Cells in Skin Inflammation

As the outermost barrier, skin plays an important role in protecting our bodies against outside invasion. Under stable conditions or during inflammation, leukocytes migration is essential for restoring homeostasis in the skin. Immune cells trafficking is orchestrated by chemokines; leukocytes express receptors that bind to chemokines and trigger migration. The homeostasis of the immune ecosystem is an extremely complicated dynamic process that requires the cooperation of innate and adaptive immune cells. Emerging studies have been shedding a light on the unique characteristics of skin-resident innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). In this review, we discuss how chemokines orchestrate skin ILCs trafficking and contribute to tissue homeostasis and how abnormal chemokine–chemokine receptor interactions contribute to and augment skin inflammation, as seen in conditions such as contact hypersensitivity, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.

157 IL-10+ regulatory B cell migration into inflamed skin limits cutaneous inflammation

To maintain skin homeostasis several types of leukocytes exist in or are recruited into the skin. While most of these leukocytes are well characterized, the roles of skin-associated B cells remain largely unknown. Our lab previously demonstrated that a subset of IL-10+ regulatory B cells preferentially migrates into the inflamed skin of mice, a process that required α4β1 integrin. Thus, we hypothesized that B regulatory cells suppress skin inflammation and that impaired migration of these cells into the skin exacerbates skin inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we used two mouse models of skin inflammation: (i) IL-17-dominated psoriasiform skin inflammation induced by imiquimod (IMQ) cream and (ii) IFN-γ-mediated cutaneous delayed contact hypersensitivity elicited by dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Furthermore, we employed a mouse model with a B cell-specific tamoxifen-inducible deletion of α4-integrin (Itga4). Here, we found that inducing the deletion of Itga4 in B cells led to a significant decreased in skin-associated IL-10+ B cells in inflamed skin and included both conventional B2 (CD19+B220highCD43-) and innate-like B1 (CD19+B220-/lowCD43+) cells. The decrease accumulation of IL-10+ regulatory B cells was associated with a significant increase in the clinical and histopathological parameters of skin inflammation in both skin inflammation models. Thus, our data show a crucial function of skin-homing IL-10+ regulatory B cells in the suppression of IL-17- and IFN-γ-dominated skin inflammation; supporting the notion that B regulatory cells are critical players in the cutaneous environment during inflammatory skin diseases.

Periostin Links Skin Inflammation to Melanoma Progression in Humans and Mice.

It is widely accepted that chronic inflammation initiates and promotes carcinogenesis and tumor progression in various cell types. However, this paradigm has not been comprehensively investigated in melanoma. To investigate the effects of chronic inflammation on the progression of melanoma, we established a murine inflammatory skin model and investigated the relationship between skin inflammation and melanoma progression. In a murine model, B16F10 melanoma cells in inflamed skin grew significantly more rapidly than cells in control skin. The stromal expression of periostin was upregulated in inflamed skin, and significantly more CD163+ M2 macrophages were recruited to the melanomas in inflamed skin. We then immunohistologically examined the expression of stromal periostin and the infiltration of CD163+ M2 macrophages in human acral lentiginous melanomas (n = 94) and analyzed the statistical associations with clinicopathological variables. In human melanomas, high periostin expression and a large number of infiltrated M2 macrophages were significantly correlated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, we confirmed that periostin promotes the proliferation of murine and human melanoma cells in vitro. Our findings indicate that periostin and M2 macrophages play a critical role in melanoma progression and prognosis in both humans and mice, indicating that periostin is a potential target for treating progressive melanoma.

From Bench to Clinic: the Potential of Therapeutic Targeting of the IL-22 Signaling Pathway in Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common pruritic inflammatory skin disease characterized by thickening of epidermis and dermis as well as by the infiltration of multiple pathogenic polarized T lymphocytes, including Th2, Th17, and Th22 cells. Significant progress has been made to develop targeted therapeutics for treating AD, e.g., Food and Drug Administration-approved dupilumab, an antibody for dual targeting of IL-4 and IL-13 signaling pathways. Additionally, a growing body of published evidence and a promising result from the early stage of the clinical trial with ILV-094, an anti-IL-22 antibody, strongly support the notion that IL-22 is a potential therapeutic target for treating AD. Moreover, we also experimentally proved that IL-22 contributes to the pathophysiology of AD by employing a murine model of AD induced by epicutaneous sensitization. Here, we review recent preclinical and clinical findings that have advanced our understanding of the roles of IL-22 and Th22 cells in skin inflammation. We conclude that blockade of IL-22 signaling may be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of AD.

IL-17–Secreting γδ T Cells Are Completely Dependent upon CCR6 for Homing to Inflamed Skin

mAbs that neutralize IL-17 or its receptor have proven efficacious in treating moderate-to-severe psoriasis, confirming IL-17 as an important driver of this disease. In mice, a rare population of T cells, γδT17 cells, appears to be a dominant source of IL-17 in experimental psoriasis. These cells traffic between lymph nodes and the skin, and are identified by their coexpression of the TCR variable regions γ4 and δ4. These cells are homologous to the Vγ9Vδ2 T cell population identified in human psoriatic plaques. In this study we report that a potent and specific small molecule antagonist of the CCR6 chemokine receptor, CCX2553, was efficacious in reducing multiple aspects of psoriasis in two different murine models of the disease. Administration of CCX2553 ameliorated skin inflammation in both the IL-23-induced ear swelling model and the topical imiquimod model, and significantly reduced the number of γδT17 cells in inflamed skin. γδT17 cells were greatly reduced in imiquimod-treated skin of CCR6-/- mice, but adoptively transferred wild-type (CCR6+/+) γδT17 cells homed normally to the skin of imiquimod-treated CCR6-/- mice. Our data suggest that γδT17 cells are completely dependent on CCR6 for homing to psoriasiform skin. Thus, CCR6 may constitute a novel target for a mechanistically distinct therapeutic approach to treating psoriasis.

Possible involvement of invariant natural killer T cells and mucosal-associated invariant T cells in a murine model of titanium allergy

ObjectiveTitanium alloy has long been regarded as a biocompatible material, and is widely used for implants in medicine and dentistry. Titanium is thought to be a potential cause of metal allergy, however, accumulating T cells during development of titanium allergy have been poorly characterized because basic research based on a suitable animal model has not been performed. This study aimed to investigate the skewing of the T-cell receptor repertoire and cytokine profiles of accumulated T cells in inflamed skin during titanium allergy. MethodsA novel model of titanium allergy was induced by two sensitizations by injection of TiCl3 plus lipopolysaccharide solution into the mouse groin followed by two challenges with TiCl3 into the footpad. Cytokine expression profiles, T cell phenotypes, and T-cell receptor repertoire were determined in the titanium-induced allergic footpads. ResultsSignificant swelling and pathological features, such as spongiosis of the dermis, were histologically evident at 7days after challenge in mice with titanium allergy. Characterization of the TCR repertoire revealed the presence of the TRAV10/TRAJ18 clonotype, indicative of natural killer T cells, and TRAV1/TRAJ33, associated with mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in the inflamed skin of both the irritant and allergic mice models. ConclusionsOur murine model of titanium-induced hypersensitivity shows that NKT cells and MAIT cells participate in titanium allergy.

Oxidative stress and inflammation caused by n-Hexyl salicylate in mouse skin: the effectiveness of flavonoids

<p>Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in a numbered of degenerative conditions including psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease who’s the etiopathogenesis is not yet completely understood, and therefore there is no standardized therapeutical approach. Flavonoids, recognized as potent antioxidants, are multifunctional molecules that can act as anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative agents through the modulation of multiple signaling pathways. The present study was designed to investigate the protective role of flavonoids [quercetin, chrysin, curcumin or Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG)] against n-Hexyl salicylate (HXS)-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in skin. Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect of flavonoids is quantified by histopathological assessment of skin, measuring the levels of lipid peroxidation and glutathione (GSH) in the skin, total number of inflammatory cells in peritoneal cavity, macrophage spreading index, and hematological and biochemical parameters.</p><p>Topically applied of n-Hexyl salicylate caused significant increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in GSH, which is accompanied by an increase<strong> </strong><em>total number of inflammatory cells in skin and peritoneal cavity, functional activity of macrophages, and enzymatic activity of ALP and AST.</em> In contrast, topically applied 5 % preparation of flavonoids (quercetin, chrysin, curcumin or EGCG) with HXS effectively prevented these alterations and maintained the antioxidant status.</p><p>The results suggest that flavonoid preparations can serve as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents in psoriatic-like skin lesions, without toxic effects.</p>

IL-9-producing cells in the development of IgE-mediated food allergy.

Food allergy is a harmful immune reaction driven by uncontrolled type 2 immune responses. Considerable evidence demonstrates the key roles of mast cells, IgE, and TH2 cytokines in mediating food allergy. However, this evidence provides limited insight into why only some, rather than all, food allergic individuals are prone to develop life-threatening anaphylaxis. Clinical observations suggest that patients sensitized to food through the skin early in life may later develop severe food allergies. Aberrant epidermal thymic stromal lymphopoietin and interleukin (IL) 33 production and genetic predisposition can initiate an allergic immune response mediated by dendritic cells and CD4+TH2 cells in inflamed skin. After allergic sensitization, intestinal IL-25 and food ingestion enhance concerted interactions between type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and CD4+TH2 cells, which perpetuate allergic reactions from the skin to the gut. IL-4 and cross-linking of antigen/IgE/FcεR complexes induce emigrated mast cell progenitors to develop into the multi-functional IL-9-producing mucosal mast cells, which produce prodigious amounts of IL-9 and mast cell mediators to drive intestinal mastocytosis in an autocrine loop. ILC2s and TH9 cells may also serve as alternative cellular sources of IL-9 to augment the amplification of intestinal mastocytosis, which is the key cellular checkpoint in developing systemic anaphylaxis. These findings provide a plausible view of how food allergy develops and progresses in a stepwise manner and that atopic signals, dietary allergen ingestion, and inflammatory cues are fundamental in promoting life-threatening anaphylaxis. This information will aid in improving diagnosis and developing more effective therapies for food allergy-triggered anaphylaxis.

Skin under Tnf influence: how regulatory T cells work against macrophages in psoriasis

AbstractTumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL)‐17 are key cytokines driving psoriasis and other inflammatory autoimmune diseases, and thus represent effective targets for anti‐psoriatic therapy. In a recent issue of The Journal of Pathology, Leite Dantas et al explore a mouse model of TNF‐mediated psoriasiform dermatitis and arthritis with doxycyclin‐inducible general overexpression of human TNF (ihTNFtg) mice for the contributions of macrophages and T cells in skin inflammation – with some unexpected and interesting findings. Although T cells are commonly known as major proinflammatory players in psoriasis, in the ihTNFtg mouse model macrophages were the predominant cells causing inflammation, and T cells, represented by Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, mainly formed the opposition to keep inflammation in check. In addition to offering a new perspective on potential alternative initiation mechanisms in psoriatic skin inflammation, this constellation illustrates how cellular networks in inflammatory conditions evolve according to the prevailing cytokine, and may help to explain individual responses to either anti‐TNF‐α or anti‐IL‐17 therapy regimens in psoriasis. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Alleviation of skin inflammation after Lin(-) cell transplantation correlates with their differentiation into myeloid-derived suppressor cells.

To understand the cellular mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects exerted by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the repair of tissue damage, we investigated the in vivo dynamics of bone marrow (BM) lineage-negative (Lin−) cells transplanted into mice with hyper sensitivity dermatitis. Longitudinal in vivo imaging and flow cytometry analyses revealed that Lin− cells home directly to inflamed skin within 6 h, where they undergo extensive expansion with the peak on day 14 post-transplantation, and preferential differentiation into CD11b+Ly6GintLy6C+ cells by day 7. Cells with phenotypic profiles of neutrophils, macrophages, and DCs appeared in inflamed skin on day 14. Progenies of transplanted Lin− cells showed similar kinetics of expansion and myeloid differentiation in BM. However, differentiation into CD11b+Ly6GintLy6C+ cells in the inflamed skin on day 7 was more skewed toward CD115+ cells (≥60%) with immune suppressive function and higher expression levels of iNOS, arginase, and IL-10, compared with those in the BM. Transplantation of Lin− cells reduced the levels of Cd3 transcript and CD4+/CD8+ cells in inflamed skin. These results demonstrate differentiation of transplanted Lin− cells into myeloid-derived suppressor cells in inflamed skin to be the basis of the alleviation of skin inflammation after Lin− cell transplantation.

Accumulation of metal-specific T cells in inflamed skin in a novel murine model of Chromium-induced allergic contact dermatitis

Chromium (Cr) causes delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions possibly mediated by accumulating T cells into allergic inflamed skin, which are called irritants or allergic contact dermatitis (ICD or ACD). However, accumulating T cells during development of metal allergy are poorly characterized because a suitable animal model is not available. This study aimed to elucidate the skewing of T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire and cytokine profiles in accumulated T cells in inflamed skin during elucidation of Cr allergy.

In Vivo Induction of Cutaneous Inflammation Results in the Accumulation of Extracellular Trap-Forming Neutrophils Expressing RORγt and IL-17

Clinical trials successfully using antibodies targeting IL-17 in psoriasis support the importance of IL-17 in the pathophysiology of this disease. However, there is a debate concerning the source and dynamics of IL-17 production in inflamed skin. Here we characterized IL-17-producing immune cells over time, using two established in vivo models of human skin inflammation that share many histological features with psoriasis, i.e., leukotriene B4 application and tape-stripping. Both treatments revealed a clear influx of neutrophils and T cells. Staining for IL-17 revealed that the majority of IL-17 was expressed by neutrophils and mast cells, in both models. Neutrophils, but not mast cells, coexpressed the IL-17-associated transcription factor RORγt and were able to form extracellular traps. While the presence of mast cells remained steady during the skin inflammatory process, the presence of neutrophils was clearly dynamic in time. Therefore, it is attractive to hypothesize that IL-17+/RORγt+ neutrophils contribute to human skin inflammation in vivo and possibly to the pathogenesis of skin diseases such as psoriasis. Surprisingly, T cells represented a minority of the IL-17-expressing cell population. These observations challenge the classical opinion that IL-17 is predominantly associated with T cells in skin inflammation.

Accumulation of metal-specific T cells in inflamed skin in a novel murine model of chromium-induced allergic contact dermatitis.

Chromium (Cr) causes delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions possibly mediated by accumulating T cells into allergic inflamed skin, which are called irritants or allergic contact dermatitis. However, accumulating T cells during development of metal allergy are poorly characterized because a suitable animal model is not available. This study aimed to elucidate the skewing of T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire and cytokine profiles in accumulated T cells in inflamed skin during elucidation of Cr allergy. A novel model of Cr allergy was induced by two sensitizations of Cr plus lipopolysaccharide solution into mouse groin followed by single Cr challenge into the footpad. TCR repertoires and nucleotide sequences of complementary determining region 3 were assessed in accumulated T cells from inflamed skin. Cytokine expression profiles and T-cell phenotypes were determined by qPCR. CD3+CD4+ T cells accumulated in allergic footpads and produced increased T helper 1 (Th1) type cytokines, Fas, and Fas ligand in the footpads after challenge, suggesting CD4+ Th1 cells locally expanded in response to Cr. Accumulated T cells included natural killer (NK) T cells and Cr-specific T cells with VA11-1/VB14-1 usage, suggesting metal-specific T cells driven by invariant NKT cells might contribute to the pathogenesis of Cr allergy.

Role of Th17 Cells in Skin Inflammation of Allergic Contact Dermatits

Extending the classical concept considering an imbalance exclusively of T helper(h) 1 and Th2 cells on the bottom of many inflammatory diseases, Th17 cells were recently described. Today, there is sufficient experimental evidence to classify psoriasis and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) amongst other inflammatory skin disorders as IL-17 associated diseases. In several human studies, T-cell-clones could be isolated from eczema biopsies, and high IL-17 levels were observed after challenge with allergen. In the last years, the phenotype of these IL-17 releasing T cells was in the focus of discussion. It has been suggested that Th17 could be identified by expression of retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor (ROR)C (humans) or RORγt (mice) and IL-17, accompanied by the absence of IFN-γ and IL-22. In cells from skin biopsies, contact allergens elevate IL-17A, IL-23, and RORC within the subset of Th cells. The indications for a participation of Th17 in the development of ACD are supported by data from IL-17 deficient mice with reduced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) reactions that could be restored after transplantation of wild type CD4+ T cells. In addition to Th17 cells, subpopulations of CD8+ T cells and regulatory T cells are further sources of IL-17 that play important roles in ACD as well. Finally, the results from Th17 cell research allow today identification of different skin diseases by a specific profile of signature cytokines from Th cells that can be used as a future diagnostic tool.

Pivotal Role of Dermal IL-17-Producing γδ T Cells in Skin Inflammation

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) and CD4(+) T helper 17 (Th17) cells are thought to be critical in psoriasis pathogenesis. Here, we report that IL-23 predominantly stimulated dermal γδ Tcells to produce IL-17 that led to disease progression. Dermal γδ Tcells constitutively expressed the IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) and transcriptional factor RORγt. IL-17 production from dermal γδ Tcells was independent of αβ Tcells. The epidermal hyperplasia and inflammation induced by IL-23 were significantly decreased in Tcell receptor δ-deficient (Tcrd(-/-)) and IL-17 receptor-deficient (Il17ra(-/-)) mice but occurred normally in Tcra(-/-) mice. Imiquimod-induced skin pathology was also significantly decreased in Tcrd(-/-) mice. Perhaps further promoting disease progression, IL-23 stimulated dermal γδ Tcell expansion. In psoriasis patients, γδ Tcells were greatly increased in affected skin and produced large amounts of IL-17. Thus, IL-23-responsive dermal γδ Tcells are the major IL-17 producers in the skin and may represent a novel target for the treatment of psoriasis.