Molybdenum Nanoparticles Ameliorate Psoriatic Lesions by Inhibiting the ROS/NF-κb Signaling Axis

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects more than 60 million people worldwide. Its pathogenesis involves the interplay of immune and oxidative stress mechanisms with feedback loops reinforced between them. Alleviating the state of oxidative stress will break this loop and relieve chronic inflammation, making it a potential therapeutic target. We synthesized a kind of molybdenum nanoparticle which reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HaCaT cells in a psoriasis-mimicking environment and decreased the production of inflammatory mediators such as IL-17A, IL-23, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, which play a crucial role in the onset of psoriasis. In a mouse model of psoriasis, molybdenum particles in its specific nanoscale alleviated erythema, scaling, and thickening of lesions and reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the expression of relevant inflammatory mediators in skin lesions. The levels of phosphorylated p65 were significantly reduced in both in vitro and in vivo models after the application of molybdenum nanoparticles, suggesting that this material, especially due to its nanoscale, may reduce the production of inflammatory mediators and proliferation of keratinocytes through a ROS/NF-κB axis, thereby improving psoriasis symptoms. Our study suggests that molybdenum nanoparticles are a promising treatment strategy for patients with psoriasis.