Inhibition of Mitochondrial Translation Ameliorates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-Like Skin Inflammation by Targeting Vγ4+ γδ T Cells

J Invest Dermatol. 2024 Apr;144(4):844-854.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.09.275. Epub 2023 Oct 12.

Abstract

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder that is characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation in response to immune cell infiltration and cytokine secretion in the dermis. γδ T cells expressing the Vγ4 TCR chain are among the highest contributors of IL-17A, which is a major cytokine that drives a psoriasis flare, making Vγ4+ γδ T cells a suitable target to restrict psoriasis progression. In this study, we demonstrate that mitochondrial translation inhibition within Vγ4+ γδ T cells effectively reduced erythema, scaling, and skin thickening in a murine model of psoriatic disease. The antibiotic linezolid, which blocks mitochondrial translation, inhibited the production of mitochondrial-encoded protein cytochrome c oxidase in Vγ4+ γδ T cells and systemically reduced the frequencies of IL-17A+ Vγ4+ γδ T cells, effectively resolving IL-17A-dependent inflammation. Inhibiting mitochondrial translation could be a novel metabolic approach to interrupt IL-17A signaling in Vγ4+ T cells and reduce psoriasis-like skin pathophysiology.

Keywords: Antibiotics; Imiquimod; Linezolid; Mitochondria; Psoriasis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dermatitis*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Imiquimod / adverse effects
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Psoriasis* / chemically induced
  • Psoriasis* / drug therapy
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / metabolism
  • Skin
  • T-Lymphocytes

Substances

  • Imiquimod
  • Interleukin-17
  • Cytokines
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta