Benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-3-bromo-5-hydroxy-5H-furan-2-one (BTH) is a simple and interesting synthetic derivative of petrosaspongiolide M, a natural compound isolated from a sea sponge with demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. In the present study, we report the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effect of BTH on some parameters related to the innate and adaptive response in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. BTH inhibited the release of some of the key psoriatic cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α, IL-8, IL-6, and CCL27 through the downregulation of NF-κB in normal human keratinocytes. Moreover, it impaired signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation and translocation to the nucleus, which resulted in decreased keratinocyte proliferation. These results were confirmed in vivo in two murine models of psoriasis: the epidermal hyperplasia induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and the imiquimod-induced skin inflammation model. In both cases, topical administration of BTH prevented skin infiltration and hyperplasia through suppression of NF-κB and STAT3 phosphorylation. Our results confirm the pivotal role of both transcriptional factors in skin inflammation, as occurs in psoriasis, and highlight the potential of small molecules as therapeutic agents for the treatment of this skin disease, with BTH being a potential candidate for future drug research.

The prevalence of VI was among the highest reported until now in adults over 64 years old and increased with age. The deterioration in quality of life related to visual function increased with increased degree of VI for all the pathologies studied (cataract, diabetic retinopathy, age-related maculopathy) except glaucoma. The HRQOL was consistently worse in women than in men for all categories of deterioration of visual acuity.

Adenosine is a potent regulator of inflammation and immunity, but the role of adenosine receptors in keratinocytes remains controversial. We determined that in addition to A 2B receptors, human epidermal keratinocytes also express A 2A receptors, although to a lower extent. Through the use of selective adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists, we showed that physiological concentrations of adenosine activate A 2B receptors in normal human keratinocytes, inducing cell cycle arrest through the increase of intracellular calcium but not through cAMP signaling. In contrast, the selective activation of A 2A receptors by CGS-21680 induces keratinocyte proliferation via p38emitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Adenosine and selective A 2A and A 2B agonists presented anti-inflammatory profiles independent of adenosine receptors but mediated by membrane phosphatase activation. Finally, keratinocyte exposure to diverse inflammatory cytokines altered adenosine receptor expression by reducing A 2B and increasing A 2A , a pattern also observed in psoriatic epidermis. Because increased epidermal turnover and inflammatory response are characteristics of psoriatic disease, further studies are needed to assess the role and consequences of the altered adenosine receptor expression in lesional and nonlesional psoriatic keratinocytes.

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