In Vitro Disease Models for Understanding Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

Psoriasis (PS) and Atopic Dermatitis (AD) are two of the most prevalent inflammatory skin diseases. Dysregulations in the immune response are believed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Various parallels can be drawn between the two disorders, as they are both genetically mediated, and characterised by dry, scaly skin caused by abnormal proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes. The use of in vitro disease models has become an increasingly popular method to study PS and AD due to the high reproducibility and accuracy in recapitulating the pathogenesis of these conditions. However, due to the extensive range of in vitro models available and the majority of these being at early stages of production, areas of development are needed. This review summarises the key features of PS and AD, the different types of in vitro models available to study their pathophysiology and evaluating their efficacy in addition to discussing future research opportunities.

Effects of Air Pollution on Cellular Senescence and Skin Aging

“…The effects of PM 2.5 and 10 are linked to different skin diseases such as AD and allergies [ 45 , 112 ]. Several studies have demonstrated that AD skin, as well as healthy skin exposed to PM, display skin barrier disruption due to decreased expression of epidermal structural proteins such as filaggrin, E-cadherin, and cytokeratins [ 43 , 44 , 113 ]. Additionally, it is suggested that AD can be influenced by the exposure to air pollution resulting in imbalance of immune cell response and IgE production, activation of AhR/NF-κB, and the generation of ROS, and these effects can be prevented by improved air quality [ 5 , 44 , 85 ].…”

In vitro models for investigating itch

“…A unique way to rebuild itch-related skin diseases in 3D includes the incorporation of Th1 and Th17-polarized T cells, which induced psoriasiform inflammation and keratinocyte differentiation ( van den Bogaard et al, 2014 ). For a recent review on models for understanding mostly the inflammatory side of AD and psoriasis, see ( Sarama et al, 2022 ).…”

An Innovative Fluid Dynamic System to Model Inflammation in Human Skin Explants

“…The different in vitro models of inflamed human skin presently available can be divided into four major classes. The 2D cell cultures are the simplest models, based on a single cell population (monolayer) or a co-culture made up of different cell types normally found in skin in vivo; these cells can be isolated from lesioned skin of patients; otherwise, human skin cell lines are subjected in vitro to the action of inflammatory cytokines [ 16 ]. In order to overcome the simplicity of these models and increase the effectiveness of the reproduced epidermal barrier, 3D models have been developed, based on the self-assembly of cells or their interaction with a scaffold, recreating in this way the three-dimensional environment found in vivo that is crucial to ensure the proper cell-to-cell, cell-to-matrix and cell-to-environment interfaces [ 17 ].…”

“…In order to overcome the simplicity of these models and increase the effectiveness of the reproduced epidermal barrier, 3D models have been developed, based on the self-assembly of cells or their interaction with a scaffold, recreating in this way the three-dimensional environment found in vivo that is crucial to ensure the proper cell-to-cell, cell-to-matrix and cell-to-environment interfaces [ 17 ]. Additionally, in this case, the disease condition is recreated using patient-derived skin cells (keratinocytes/fibroblasts) or proinflammatory molecules on healthy cells [ 16 ]. Furthermore, skin-on-a-chip is one of the latest technologies developed that, as stated by Zhang and collaborators [ 18 ], “is to culture skin tissues within a microfluidic system, which can control many physical and biochemical parameters such as medium flow, mechanical force and gradients of biochemicals, mimicking the 3D microenvironments of the natural human skin”.…”

“…Furthermore, skin-on-a-chip is one of the latest technologies developed that, as stated by Zhang and collaborators [ 18 ], “is to culture skin tissues within a microfluidic system, which can control many physical and biochemical parameters such as medium flow, mechanical force and gradients of biochemicals, mimicking the 3D microenvironments of the natural human skin”. The skin-on-a-chip model further benefits over the previously cited models by the enhanced barrier function and the possibility to host different immune cells and blood vessels [ 16 ]. The inflammatory condition is again obtained using inflammatory cytokines and other stimulating agents, such as LPS [ 16 ].…”