Etanercept alleviates psoriasis by reducing the Th17/Treg ratio and promoting M2 polarization of macrophages.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the effect of etanercept in psoriasis and its underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Female mice were treated with imiquimod (IMQ) to induce psoriasis, and intraperitoneally administered etanercept (0.1-0.4 mg/ml). The RAW264.7 cells were treated with LPS and IFN-γ to polarize to M1, and were treated with IL-13 and IL-4 to polarize to M2.

RESULTS

In our study, Etanercept markedly reduced the psoriasis area and severity index scores, and epidermal thickness of mice induced by IMQ. In addition, etanercept reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-6/12/23, and enhanced the levels of IL-4/10, reduced Th17/Treg ratio and facilitated the polarization of macrophages to M2 in psoriasis model mice. Furthermore, etanercept inhibited the JAK/STAT3 pathway and increased the protein levels of SOCS1 and SOCS3.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our findings indicated that etanercept could inhibit the JAK/STAT3 pathway to reduce Th17/Treg ratio and promote M2 polarization, thereby alleviating psoriasis of mice.