Dynamin-related protein 1 expression correlates with psoriasis disease severity and regulates keratinocyte function

Background The pathogenesis of psoriasis is still not fully understood. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) regulates mitochondrial fission and is implicated in various inflammatory conditions, but research regarding Drp1 in the skin is scarce. Objectives To examine Drp1 expression in psoriasis vulgaris lesional skin and the effect of Drp1 expression on keratinocyte proliferation and inflammatory mediator release in vitro. Materials and Methods Skin biopsies were collected, and the expression of Drp1 and TNF-alpha was investigated in the skin. Serum TNF-alpha level was also examined. The effect of Drp1 on keratinocyte proliferation and inflammatory mediator release was evaluated in HaCaT cells following Drp1 transfection. The effect of TNF-alpha on Drp1 expression was also studied in HaCaT cells. Results Drp1 expression was significantly increased and positively correlated with PASI score and TNF-alpha expression in skin. In HaCaT cells, Drp1 transfection altered cellular ATP and proliferation, induced G2/M arrest, and affected inflammatory mediator (TNF-alpha, IL-6 and CXCL8) release. Moreover, TNF-alpha induced Drp1 expression and recovered cellular ATP content and mediator release. Conclusion Drp1 is significantly elevated in psoriasis vulgaris skin and positively correlates with disease severity, moreover, in vitro, Drp1 regulates keratinocyte function.