Introduction

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Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory cutaneous disorder with Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines playing an important role in its development. 2′-FL (2′-fucosyllactose), which makes up about 30% of all HMOs (human milk oligosaccharides) in blood type secretor positive maternal milk, plays an essential role in supporting aspects of immune development and regulation.
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Results

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To explore the immunomodulatory effect of 2′-FL in psoriasis, we employed the imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model. Our data showed that mice administered with 2′-FL exhibited attenuated skin damage and inflammation, characterized by significantly decreased erythema and thickness and reduced recruitment of pro-inflammatory cytokines, when compared to control mice. The alleviated skin inflammation in 2′-FL treated mice was associated with a reduced proportion of Th17 cells and decreased production of Th17-related cytokines.

Furthermore, we have demonstrated that 2′-FL reduced the phosphorylation of STAT3 in the skin tissue from mice with IMQ stimulation, which could account for the decreasing recruitment of Th17 cells. In vitro studies showed that 2′-FL inhibited differentiation of Th17 cells, phosphorylation of STAT3, and RORγt mRNA levels in T cells under Th17 polarization. Our results indicate that 2′-FL ameliorates IMQ-induced psoriasis by inhibiting Th17 cell immune response and Th17-related cytokine secretion via modulation of the STAT3 signaling pathway.

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