Anti-Psoriasis Effects and Mechanisms of Α-(8-Quinolinoxy) Zinc Phthalocyanine-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to determine the anti-psoriasis effects of α-(8-quinolinoxy) zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc-F7)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) and to reveal its mechanisms.

Methods: HaCaT cells were used to observe the influence of ZnPc-F7-PDT on cell proliferation in vitro. The in vivo anti-psoriasis effects of ZnPc-F7-PDT were evaluated using a mouse vagina model, a propranolol-induced cavy psoriasis model and an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced nude mouse psoriasis model. Flow cytometry was carried out to determine T lymphocyte levels. Western blotting was performed to determine protein expression, and a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test was performed to determine mRNA expression.

Results: The results showed that ZnPc-F7-PDT significantly inhibited the proliferation of HaCaT cells in vitro; when the light doses were fixed, changing the irradiation time or output power had little influence on the inhibition rate. ZnPc-F7-PDT significantly inhibited the hyperproliferation of mouse vaginal epithelium induced by diethylstilbestrol and improved propranolol- and IMQ-induced psoriasis-like symptoms. ZnPc-F7-PDT inhibited IMQ-induced splenomegaly and T lymphocyte abnormalities. ZnPc-F7-PDT did not appear to change T lymphocytes in the mouse vagina model. ZnPc-F7-PDT down-regulated the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), interleukin (IL)-17A mRNA and IL-17F mRNA, and up-regulated the expression of Bax.

Conclusion: In conclusion, ZnPc-F7-PDT exhibited therapeutic effects in psoriasis both in vitro and in vivo and is a potential approach in the treatment of psoriasis. Potential mechanisms of these effects included the inhibition of hyperproliferation; regulation of PCNA, Bcl-2, Bax, IL-17A mRNA and IL-17F mRNA expression; and immune regulation.