Maresin-1 suppresses imiquimod-induced skin inflammation by regulating IL-23 receptor expression

Abstract The anti-inflammatory effect of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has been confirmed in various inflammatory disease models. Maresin-1 (MaR1) is a lipid mediator derived from the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that has displayed strong anti-inflammatory effects in various inflammatory disease models. However, the effect of topical MaR1 on cutaneous inflammation remains unclear. Therefore, we initially examined the anti-inflammatory effects of topical Maresin-1 using an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model of inflammation. Topical MaR1 reduced the ear swelling response as seen in histological findings. RT-PCR and flow cytometry analyses revealed MaR1 had no inhibitory effect on IL-23, but MaR1 suppressed IL-17A production by γδTCRmid+ and CD4+ cells in the skin. These inhibitory effects were also observed in a subcutaneous IL-23-injected psoriasis model. MaR1 downmodulated IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) expression by suppressing retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) expression and internalization in a clathrin-dependent manner in γδTCRmid+ and CD4+ cells. These results lead to assumptions that topical MaR1 may be a new therapeutic agent for psoriasis and other IL-17-mediated cutaneous inflammatory diseases.