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European Journal of Dermatology

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Effects of tacrolimus on IFN-γ signaling in keratinocytes: possible mechanisms by which tacrolimus affects IFN-γ-dependent skin inflammation Volume 21, issue 1, January-February 2011

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Authors
Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking, Union Medical College; 12 Jiang Wang, Miao Street, Nanjing, China, Yixing People's Hospital; Tong Zhen Guan Road, Yixing, Jiangsu, China

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) signaling in keratinocytes plays an important role in IFN-γ-induced skin inflammation. A novel tacrolimus topical ointment has shown remarkable efficacy in treating skin inflammation. This study explored the mechanism of tacrolimus-modulated IFN-γ signal transduction in HaCaT keratinocytes and the effects of tacrolimus on IFN-γ-associated cytokine production in HaCaT cells. Tacrolimus down-regulated the recombinant human IFN-γ (rhIFN-γ)-induced expression of IFN-γ receptor α (IFN-γRα). The IFN-γ induced expression of phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 (pJAK2) and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (pSTAT-1) was also inhibited by tacrolimus. Tacrolimus up-regulated the IFN-γ-induced expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1). Tacrolimus was also demonstrated to down-regulate IFN-γ-induced the secretion of chemotactic factor CXCL-8 and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and human leucocyte antigen HLA-DR. The findings in this work indicate that the direct effects of tacrolimus on IFN-γ signaling in keratinocytes may contribute to its therapeutic efficacy as a topical ointment in the treatment of IFN-γ-dependent skin inflammation.