Thiolutin alleviates DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis-like symptoms via the inactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Our study attempted to explore the potential treatment of thiolutin (THL), a newly confirmed NLRP3 inhibitor, on atopic dermatitis (AD). The AD model was constructed on BALB/c mice using 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). THL treatment (2.5 or 10 mg/kg, every 2 days) was began on Day 7. The ear swelling and body weight of mice were monitored every three days. On day 21, after recording the scratching behaviors of each mouse, blood and skin samples were harvested to analyze serum IgE level and inflammatory cytokine production, epidermal thickness, mast cell infiltration, as well as the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related markers of lesional skin. THL administration attenuates AD-like symptoms stimulated by DNCB in mice, as evidenced by the quantified ear swelling, skin lesion, and scratching behaviors. THL decreased the systemic IgE level and the production of IL-5 and IL-4 in the lesional ear skin of the AD model mice. DNCB-induced epidermal thickening and lesional mast cell infiltration were reduced by THL. THL significantly suppressed the DNCB-induced upregulation of NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1 in lesional skin. Once NLRP3 was knocked out, the protection of THL against AD was diminished. THL can protect against experimental AD by blocking NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Our findings make THL a potentially therapeutic agent for AD.