Transcriptomic characterization of prurigo nodularis and the therapeutic response to nemolizumab

Background: Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a debilitating, difficult-to-treat, intensely pruritic, chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyperkeratotic skin nodules. The pathogenesis of PN is not well understood but is believed to involve cross talk between sensory nerve fibers, immune cells, and the epidermis. It is centered around the neuroimmune cytokine IL-31, driving an intractable itch-scratch cycle.

Objective: We sought to provide a comprehensive view of the transcriptomic changes in PN skin and characterize the mechanism of action of the anti-IL-31 receptor inhibitor nemolizumab.

Method: RNA sequencing of biopsy samples obtained from a cohort of patients treated with the anti-IL-31 receptor inhibitor nemolizumab and taken at baseline and week 12. Generation and integration of patient data with RNA-Seq data generated from reconstructed human epidermis stimulated with IL-31 and other proinflammatory cytokines.

Results: Our results demonstrate that nemolizumab effectively decreases IL-31 responses in PN skin, leading to effective suppression of downstream inflammatory responses including T_H2/IL-13 and T_H17/IL-17 responses. This is accompanied by decreased keratinocyte proliferation and normalization of epidermal differentiation and function. Furthermore, our results demonstrate how transcriptomic changes associated with nemolizumab treatment correlate with improvement in lesions, pruritus, stabilization of extracellular matrix remodeling, and processes associated with cutaneous nerve function.

Conclusion: These data demonstrate a broad response to IL-31 receptor inhibition with nemolizumab and confirm the critical upstream role of IL-31 in PN pathogenesis.