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Conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) are composed of heterogeneous subsets commonly arising from dendritic cell (DC)−committed progenitors. A population of CD301b-expressing DCs has recently been identified in non-lymphoid barrier tissues such as skin. However, whether CD301b + DCs in the skin represent an ontogenetically unique subpopulation of migratory cDCs has not been fully addressed. Here, we demonstrated that CD301b + dermal DCs were distinct subpopulation of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L)−dependent CD11b + cDC2 lineage, which required an additional GM-CSF cue for the adequate development. Although the majority of lymphoid-resident cDC2 lacked CD301b expression, dermal migratory cDC2 contained a substantial fraction of CD301b + subset. Similar to CD301b − population, CD301b + dermal DC development was closely regulated by FLT3 signaling, suggesting their common origin from FLT3L-responsive cDC progenitors. However, FLT3L-driven cDC progenitor culture was not sufficient, but additional GM-CSF treatment was required to produce CD301b + cDC2. In vivo development of CD301b + cDC2 was significantly augmented by exogenous GM-CSF, while the repopulation of CD301b + dermal cDC2 was abrogated by GM-CSF neutralization. Functionally, CD301b + cDC2 was capable of producing a high level of IL-23, and the depletion of CD301b + cDC2 effectively prevented IL-17−mediated psoriasiform dermatitis. Therefore, our findings highlight the differentiation program of a distinct CD301b + dermal cDC2 subset in the skin and its involvement in psoriatic inflammation.

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by immune response–dependent erythema and pustules. Although the precise etiology of rosacea remains elusive, its pathogenesis is reportedly associated with an increased level of antimicrobial peptide LL-37. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of rosacea via LL-37 remain poorly understood. Here, we examined the potential role of LL-37 in rosacea-like skin inflammatory phenotypes at a molecular level. Our in vitro data demonstrated that LL-37 promotes NLRP3-mediated inflammasome activation in lipopolysaccharide-primed macrophages, indicated by the processing of caspase-1 and IL-1β. LL-37 was internalized into the cytoplasm of macrophages through P2X7 receptor–mediated endocytosis. Intracellular LL-37 triggered the assembly and activation of NLRP3-ASC inflammasome complex by facilitating lysosomal destabilization. Consistent with these in vitro results, intradermal LL-37 administration induced in vivo caspase-1 activation and ASC speck formation in the skin of Nlrp3-expressing, but not in Nlrp3-deficient, mice. Intradermal injection of LL-37 elicited profound recruitment of inflammatory Gr1+ cells and subsequent skin inflammation. However, LL-37–induced rosacea-like skin inflammation was significantly abrogated in Nlrp3-deficient mice. Furthermore, an NLRP3-specific inhibitor, MCC950, markedly reduced LL-37–triggered rosacea-like phenotypes. Taken together, our findings clearly indicate that NLRP3 inflammasome activation plays a crucial role in LL-37–induced skin inflammation and rosacea pathogenesis.

Adipokines modulate immune responses and lipid metabolism in allergic disease; however, little is known about their role in the skin barrier and atopic dermatitis (AD). We identified ZAG, an adipokine that regulates lipid mobilization, as a biomarker for AD. ZAG levels were consistently decreased in sera, T cells, and skin in human AD patients compared with healthy controls. ZAG was primarily detected in the stratum corneum along with FLG and LOR. Knockdown of ZAG with short hairpin RNA resulted in decreased FLG and increased TSLP. Topical ZAG treatment in AD mice recovered ZAG expression in the skin and improved AD-like symptoms, transepidermal water loss, and ceramide levels. Furthermore, topical ZAG treatment induced immunoregulatory effects, including reduction of IL-4, IL-17, and IFN-γ and increased Foxp3 in the skin and lymphoid organs. Interestingly, ZAG treatment also recovered decreased levels of ADAM17, an important player in skin barrier function and immune response in AD. Thus, ZAG deficiency is closely related to skin barrier function and the immune abnormalities of AD, and we suggest that restoration of ZAG may be a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of AD.