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Pro-resolving mediators promote resolution in a human skin model of UV-killed Escherichia coli–driven acute inflammation
Madhur P. Motwani, Romain A. Colas, Marc J. George, Julia D. Flint, Jesmond Dalli, Angela Richard-Loendt, Roel P.H. De Maeyer, Charles N. Serhan, Derek W. Gilroy
Madhur P. Motwani, Romain A. Colas, Marc J. George, Julia D. Flint, Jesmond Dalli, Angela Richard-Loendt, Roel P.H. De Maeyer, Charles N. Serhan, Derek W. Gilroy
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Research Article Inflammation

Pro-resolving mediators promote resolution in a human skin model of UV-killed Escherichia coli–driven acute inflammation

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Abstract

While the treatment of inflammatory disorders is generally based on inhibiting factors that drive onset of inflammation, these therapies can compromise healing (NSAIDs) or dampen immunity against infections (biologics). In search of new antiinflammatories, efforts have focused on harnessing endogenous pathways that drive resolution of inflammation for therapeutic gain. Identification of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) (lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, maresins) as effector molecules of resolution has shown promise in this regard. However, their action on inflammatory resolution in humans is unknown. Here, we demonstrate using a model of UV-killed Escherichia coli–triggered skin inflammation that SPMs are biosynthesized at the local site at the start of resolution, coinciding with the expression of receptors that transduce their actions. These include receptors for lipoxin A4 (ALX/FPR2), resolvin E1 (ChemR23), resolvin D2 (GPR18), and resolvin D1 (GPR32) that were differentially expressed on the endothelium and infiltrating leukocytes. Administering SPMs into the inflamed site 4 hours after bacterial injection caused a reduction in PMN numbers over the ensuing 6 hours, the phase of active resolution in this model. These results indicate that in humans, the appearance of SPMs and their receptors is associated with the beginning of inflammatory resolution and that their therapeutic supplementation enhanced the resolution response.

Authors

Madhur P. Motwani, Romain A. Colas, Marc J. George, Julia D. Flint, Jesmond Dalli, Angela Richard-Loendt, Roel P.H. De Maeyer, Charles N. Serhan, Derek W. Gilroy

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Figure 6

SPM receptor expression increases during acute inflammation.

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SPM receptor expression increases during acute inflammation.
Acute infla...
Acute inflammation was triggered in the ventral aspect of forearms of healthy volunteers by the intradermal injection of 1.5 × 107 UV-killed E. coli (UVkEc) suspended in 100 μl of sterile saline. Four hours after injection, a 3-mm skin punch biopsy was taken from the inflamed site under local anaesthesia. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded skin sections were probed by immunohistochemistry for receptor identification, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Increase in receptor expression from baseline to 4 hours following UVkEc injection for ALX/FPR2 (A), ChemR23 (B), GPR18 (C), and GPR32 (D) is shown here. Data expressed as box-and-whisker plots (box representing the median and the whiskers representing the maximum-minimum values). Statistical comparison between baseline and 4-hour expression was assessed by Wilcoxon’s matched-pairs test. n = 3 for each time point. *P < 0.05. SPM, specialized pro-resolving mediator.

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