Modulation of LXR-α and the effector genes by Ascorbic acid and Statins in psoriatic keratinocytes

Mol Cell Biochem. 2014 Dec;397(1-2):1-6. doi: 10.1007/s11010-014-2063-x. Epub 2014 Oct 5.

Abstract

Recent studies have revealed critical roles that nuclear receptors like LXR-α (Liver X Receptor- alpha) plays as a class of post-transcriptional gene regulator in skin development and diseases. Keeping in view the fact that LXR-α plays crucial role in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, it becomes imperative to dissect the pathways and role of LXR-α genomics in the pathogenesis of psoriasis with ultimate aim to explore novel preventive/therapeutic strategies as treatment options. To explore the effects of agonists and activators of LXR-α on its own gene expression and the putative targets in psoriatic keratinocytes. Identification of promoter sequences for (vitamin D receptor) VDR and Catalase were done using in silico analysis followed by β-galactosidase (β-gal) reporter plasmid assay in keratinocytes from clinically heathy subjects. Determination of relative levels of LXR-α,VDR and catalase in control versus treated cells upon activation of LXR-α with Atorvastatin + 22R hydroxycholestrol and Ascorbic acid + 22R hydroxycholestrol was done by PCR and Cell Proliferation Assay. The cells transfected with the reporter plasmid element for VDR and catalase showed more than 5 and 4 fold increase respectively in the β-gal activity compared to the control. An increase of 55% in LXR-α gene expression at RNA level was observed in Atorvastatin + 22-R hydroxycholestrol compared to 24% in Ascorbic acid + 22-ROH cholesterol. The expression of the VDR and Catalase was significantly increased in both treated keratinocytes compared to its normal counterpart.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Atorvastatin
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Heptanoic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxycholesterols / pharmacology*
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism*
  • Keratinocytes / pathology
  • Liver X Receptors
  • Male
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors / biosynthesis*
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors / genetics
  • Psoriasis / genetics
  • Psoriasis / metabolism*
  • Psoriasis / pathology
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Heptanoic Acids
  • Hydroxycholesterols
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Liver X Receptors
  • NR1H3 protein, human
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors
  • Pyrroles
  • 22-hydroxycholesterol
  • Atorvastatin
  • Ascorbic Acid