Herring roe oil exerts anti-psoriatic and immunomodulatory effects on the IL-17/23 signaling axis in macrophages, T-cells and a keratinocyte and fibroblast co-culture

Background

Several systemic treatment options are available for moderate to severe psoriasis, while low-risk oral treatments for milder forms are limited. Herring roe oil (HRO) has previously shown beneficial effects on the clinical presentation of psoriasis, however, cell-specific effects remained unknown.

Objective

This study aimed to elucidate cellular effects of HRO and whether signaling pathways in skin and immune cells relevant to the pathophysiology of psoriasis are affected by HRO.

Methods

We used cell-culture models of human primary macrophages and T-cells, the keratinocyte cell line HaCat and human primary fibroblasts to represent important site-specific pathological aspects of psoriasis in the skin and immune system. The cells were supplemented with HRO emulsions and cellular signaling was analyzed on protein and mRNA level. Skin cell proliferation was analyzed in real-time by a Live-Cell Analysis System.

Conclusion

We here present results which suggest that HRO exerts effects on different cell types on major psoriasis-driving aspects, reducing the secretion of IL-23 and IL-17 from macrophages and T-cells, respectively, as well as interfering with IL-17-induced signaling and proliferation of keratinocytes in co-culture with fibroblasts.

Clinicaltrials.gov (or equivalent) listing (if applicable): not applicable

Key Points

• Why was the study undertaken? To elucidate cellular targets for the anti-psoriatic effects of HRO.

• What does this study add? This study adds an understanding of cell specific effects of HRO that support a clinically beneficial action on psoriasis.

• What are the implications of this study for disease understanding and/or clinical care? This study supports the use of HRO as treatment option for mild-to-moderate psoriasis.