Frontiers in Immunology (Jan 2024)

Skin repair and immunoregulatory effects of myeloid suppressor cells from human cord blood in atopic dermatitis

  • Chang-Hyun Kim,
  • Seung-Min Hong,
  • Sueon Kim,
  • Jae Ik Yu,
  • Soo-Hyun Jung,
  • Chul Hwan Bang,
  • Ji Hyun Lee,
  • Tai-Gyu Kim,
  • Tai-Gyu Kim

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1263646
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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IntroductionPreviously, we achieved large-scale expansion of bone marrow-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) derived from cluster of differentiation (CD)34+ cells cultured in human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) and demonstrated their immunomodulatory properties. In the present study, we assessed the therapeutic efficacy of hUCB-MDSCs in atopic dermatitis (AD).MethodsDermatophagoides farinae (Df)-induced NC/Nga mice (clinical score of 7) were treated with hUCB-MDSCs or a control drug. The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of hUCB-MDSCs were evaluated.Results and discussionhUCB-MDSCs demonstrated immunosuppressive effects in both human and mouse CD4+ T cells. hUCB-MDSCs significantly reduced the clinical severity scores, which were associated with histopathological changes, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, epidermal hyperplasia, and fibrosis. Furthermore, hUCB-MDSCs decreased the serum levels of immunoglobulin E, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, thymus- and activation-regulated chemokines, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin. Additionally, they altered the expression of the skin barrier function-related proteins filaggrin, involucrin, loricrin, cytokeratin 10, and cytokeratin 14 and suppressed the activation of Df-restimulated T-cells via cell–cell interactions. hUCB-MDSCs promoted skin recovery and maintained their therapeutic effect even after recurrence. Consequently, hUCB-MDSC administration improved Df-induced AD-like skin lesions and restored skin barrier function. Our findings support the potential of hUCB-MDSCs as a novel treatment strategy for AD.

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