Skip to main content
Top
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2020

01-12-2020 | Vulgar Psoriasis | Research article

Indirubin inhibits Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway via promoter demethylation of WIF-1

Authors: Shou Gang Liu, Guang Pu Luo, Yong Bin Qu, Yong Feng Chen

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2020

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease. Abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes is one of the psoriatic histopathological features. Indirubin has an essential effect on the proliferation and activation of keratinocytes; however, in psoriasis, the specific mechanism of action of indirubin on keratinocytes is unclear. In the present study, we revealed the effects of indirubin on DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), wnt inhibitory factor 1 (wif-1), and wnt/β-catenin signal pathway, in the meantime, we explored the effects of indirubin on proliferation, cell cycle and the apoptosis of HaCaT cells.

Methods

The expression of DNMT1, wif-1, Frizzled2, Frizzled5, and β-catenin in HaCaT cells treated with different concentrations of indirubin were detected by Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression levels of DNMT1 and wif-1 were observed after treated with different concentrations of indirubin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The wif-1 promoter methylation status was detected by DNA methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The transcriptional activities of wif-1 and β-catenin were discovered by a luciferase reporter gene system. Cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) method. The cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. The apoptotic cells were surveyed by the apoptosis kit. The expression of Inolucrin, Loricrin, Filaggrin, Keratin 17, and transcriptional activation of transglutaminase 1(TGase1) were detected by Western blotting.

Results

Indirubin inhibited the expression of DNMT1 and the methylation of the wif-1 promoter. In the wnt signal pathway, indirubin restored the protein expression of wif-1 and inhibited expression of Frizzled2, Frizzled5, and β-catenin. Besides, indirubin inhibited the proliferation of HaCaT cells, induced apoptosis, and arrest cell cycle. We also reported that indirubin could down-regulate the expression of Involucrin, TGase 1, and keratin 17, but the expression of Filaggrin and Loricrin had no significant effect.

Conclusion

Our research showed that indirubin promoted the demethylation of wif-1 and suppressed the wnt/β-catenin signal pathway, thereby exerted an anti-proliferative effect. This study reveals the anti-proliferation mechanism of indirubin, which may provide an effective option for the treatment of proliferative diseases.
Literature
1.
2.
go back to reference Boehncke, W. H, Schön, M. P, Psoriasis Lancet2015, 386 (9997): 983–994. Boehncke, W. H, Schön, M. P, Psoriasis Lancet2015, 386 (9997): 983–994.
3.
go back to reference Reuter J, Wölfle U, Weckesser S, Schempp C. Which Plant for Which Skin Disease? Part 1: atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, Condyloma and herpes simplex. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2010;8(10):788–96.PubMed Reuter J, Wölfle U, Weckesser S, Schempp C. Which Plant for Which Skin Disease? Part 1: atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, Condyloma and herpes simplex. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2010;8(10):788–96.PubMed
4.
go back to reference Huang M, Wang L, Zeng S, Qiu Q, Zou Y, Shi M, Xu H, Liang L. Indirubin inhibits the migration, invasion, and activation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes from rheumatoid arthritis patients. Inflamm Res. 2017;66(5):433–40.PubMed Huang M, Wang L, Zeng S, Qiu Q, Zou Y, Shi M, Xu H, Liang L. Indirubin inhibits the migration, invasion, and activation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes from rheumatoid arthritis patients. Inflamm Res. 2017;66(5):433–40.PubMed
5.
go back to reference Hsieh WL, Lin YK, Tsai CN, Wang TM, Chen TY. JongHwei S PangIndirubin, an acting component of indigo naturalis, inhibits EGFR activation and EGF-induced CDC25B gene expression in epidermal keratinocytes. J Dermatol Sci. 2012;67(2):140–6.PubMed Hsieh WL, Lin YK, Tsai CN, Wang TM, Chen TY. JongHwei S PangIndirubin, an acting component of indigo naturalis, inhibits EGFR activation and EGF-induced CDC25B gene expression in epidermal keratinocytes. J Dermatol Sci. 2012;67(2):140–6.PubMed
6.
go back to reference Xie X, Di T, Wang Y, Wang M, Meng Y, Lin Y, Xu X, Li P, Zhao J. Indirubin ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice by inhibiting inflammatory responses mediated by IL-17A-producing γδ T cells. Mol Immunol. 2018;101:386–95.PubMed Xie X, Di T, Wang Y, Wang M, Meng Y, Lin Y, Xu X, Li P, Zhao J. Indirubin ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice by inhibiting inflammatory responses mediated by IL-17A-producing γδ T cells. Mol Immunol. 2018;101:386–95.PubMed
7.
go back to reference Lin Y-K, See L-C, Huang Y-H, Chi C-C, C-Y Hui R. Comparison of indirubin concentrations in indigo naturalis ointment for psoriasis treatment: a randomized, double-blind, dosage-controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2018;178(1):124–31.PubMed Lin Y-K, See L-C, Huang Y-H, Chi C-C, C-Y Hui R. Comparison of indirubin concentrations in indigo naturalis ointment for psoriasis treatment: a randomized, double-blind, dosage-controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2018;178(1):124–31.PubMed
9.
go back to reference Zhang Y, Chen T, Zhang D, Zheng Y, Peng Z, Feng Y, Xiao S, Li Z. Wnt/β-catenin and Wnt5a/Ca pathways regulate proliferation and apoptosis of keratinocytes in psoriasis lesions. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2015;36(5):1890–902.PubMed Zhang Y, Chen T, Zhang D, Zheng Y, Peng Z, Feng Y, Xiao S, Li Z. Wnt/β-catenin and Wnt5a/Ca pathways regulate proliferation and apoptosis of keratinocytes in psoriasis lesions. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2015;36(5):1890–902.PubMed
10.
go back to reference Gudjonsson JE, Johnston A, Stoll SW, Riblett MB, Xing X, Kochkodan JJ, Ding J, Nair RP, Aphale A, Voorhees JJ, Elder JT. Evidence for altered Wnt signaling in psoriatic skin. J Invest Dermatol. 2010;130(7):1849–59.PubMedPubMedCentral Gudjonsson JE, Johnston A, Stoll SW, Riblett MB, Xing X, Kochkodan JJ, Ding J, Nair RP, Aphale A, Voorhees JJ, Elder JT. Evidence for altered Wnt signaling in psoriatic skin. J Invest Dermatol. 2010;130(7):1849–59.PubMedPubMedCentral
11.
go back to reference Deng Y, Yu B, Cheng Q, Jin J, You H, Ke R, NingTang QS, Shu H, Yao G, Zhang Z, Qin W. Epigenetic silencing of WIF- in hepatocellular carcinomas. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2010;136(8):1161–7.PubMed Deng Y, Yu B, Cheng Q, Jin J, You H, Ke R, NingTang QS, Shu H, Yao G, Zhang Z, Qin W. Epigenetic silencing of WIF- in hepatocellular carcinomas. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2010;136(8):1161–7.PubMed
12.
go back to reference Reguart N, He B, Xu Z, You L, Lee AY, Mazieres J, Mikami I, Batra S, Rosell R, McCormick F, Jablons DM. Cloning and characterization of the promoter of human Wnt inhibitory factor-1. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004;323(1):229–34.PubMed Reguart N, He B, Xu Z, You L, Lee AY, Mazieres J, Mikami I, Batra S, Rosell R, McCormick F, Jablons DM. Cloning and characterization of the promoter of human Wnt inhibitory factor-1. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004;323(1):229–34.PubMed
14.
go back to reference Chen M, Chen Z-Q, Cui P-G, Yao X, Li Y-M, Li A-S, Gong J-Q, Cao Y-H. The methylation pattern of p16INK4a gene promoter in psoriatic epidermis and its clinical significance. Br J Dermatol. 2008;158(5):987–93.PubMed Chen M, Chen Z-Q, Cui P-G, Yao X, Li Y-M, Li A-S, Gong J-Q, Cao Y-H. The methylation pattern of p16INK4a gene promoter in psoriatic epidermis and its clinical significance. Br J Dermatol. 2008;158(5):987–93.PubMed
15.
go back to reference Rountree MR, Bachman KE, Herman JG, Baylin SB. DNAmethylation, chromatin, inheritance, and cancer. Oncogene.2001; 20 (24): 3156–3165. Rountree MR, Bachman KE, Herman JG, Baylin SB. DNAmethylation, chromatin, inheritance, and cancer. Oncogene.2001; 20 (24): 3156–3165.
16.
go back to reference Zhang P, Yuwen S, Chen H, Zhao M, Lu Q. Abnormal DNA methylation in skin lesions and PBMCs of patients with psoriasis vulgaris. J Dermatol Sci. 2010;60(1):40–2.PubMed Zhang P, Yuwen S, Chen H, Zhao M, Lu Q. Abnormal DNA methylation in skin lesions and PBMCs of patients with psoriasis vulgaris. J Dermatol Sci. 2010;60(1):40–2.PubMed
17.
go back to reference Anastas JN, Moon RT. WNT signalling pathways as therapeutic targets in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer. 2013;13(1):11–26.PubMed Anastas JN, Moon RT. WNT signalling pathways as therapeutic targets in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer. 2013;13(1):11–26.PubMed
18.
go back to reference Yu X, Yan N, Li Z, Hua Y, Chen W. FGF19 sustains the high proliferative ability of keratinocytes in psoriasis through the regulation of Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signalling via FGFR4. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2019;46(8):761–9.PubMed Yu X, Yan N, Li Z, Hua Y, Chen W. FGF19 sustains the high proliferative ability of keratinocytes in psoriasis through the regulation of Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signalling via FGFR4. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2019;46(8):761–9.PubMed
19.
go back to reference Lin B, Hong HJ, Jiang XJ, Li CZ, Zhu SY, Tang NH, Wang XQ, She FF, Chen YL. WNT inhibitory factor 1 promoter hypermethylation is an early event during gallbladder cancer tumorigenesis that predicts poor survival. Gene. 2017;622:42–9.PubMed Lin B, Hong HJ, Jiang XJ, Li CZ, Zhu SY, Tang NH, Wang XQ, She FF, Chen YL. WNT inhibitory factor 1 promoter hypermethylation is an early event during gallbladder cancer tumorigenesis that predicts poor survival. Gene. 2017;622:42–9.PubMed
20.
go back to reference Xue X, Wu J, Li J, Xu J, Dai H, Tao C, Li C, Jinhong H. Indirubin attenuates mouse psoriasis-like skin lesion in a CD274-dependent manner: an achievement of RNA sequencing. Biosci Rep. 2018;38(6):BSR20180958.PubMedPubMedCentral Xue X, Wu J, Li J, Xu J, Dai H, Tao C, Li C, Jinhong H. Indirubin attenuates mouse psoriasis-like skin lesion in a CD274-dependent manner: an achievement of RNA sequencing. Biosci Rep. 2018;38(6):BSR20180958.PubMedPubMedCentral
21.
go back to reference Tan M, Wu J, Cai Y. Suppression of Wnt signaling by the miR-29 family is mediated by demethylation of WIF- in non-small-cell lung cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2013;438(4):673–9.PubMed Tan M, Wu J, Cai Y. Suppression of Wnt signaling by the miR-29 family is mediated by demethylation of WIF- in non-small-cell lung cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2013;438(4):673–9.PubMed
22.
go back to reference Uluçkan Ö, Jimenez M, Karbach S, Jeschke A, Graña O, Keller J, Busse B, Croxford AL, Finzel S, Koenders M, van den Berg W, Schinke T, Amling M, Waisman A, Schett G, Wagner EF. Chronic skin inflammation leads to bone loss by IL-17-mediated inhibition of Wnt signaling in osteoblasts. Sci Transl Med. 2016;8(330):330–7. Uluçkan Ö, Jimenez M, Karbach S, Jeschke A, Graña O, Keller J, Busse B, Croxford AL, Finzel S, Koenders M, van den Berg W, Schinke T, Amling M, Waisman A, Schett G, Wagner EF. Chronic skin inflammation leads to bone loss by IL-17-mediated inhibition of Wnt signaling in osteoblasts. Sci Transl Med. 2016;8(330):330–7.
23.
go back to reference Schroeder WT, Thacher SM, Stewart-Galetka S, Annarella M, Chema D, Siciliano MJ, Davies PJ, Tang HY, Sowa BA, Duvic M. Type I keratinocyte transglutaminase: expression in human skin and psoriasis. J Invest Dermatol. 1992;99:27–34.PubMed Schroeder WT, Thacher SM, Stewart-Galetka S, Annarella M, Chema D, Siciliano MJ, Davies PJ, Tang HY, Sowa BA, Duvic M. Type I keratinocyte transglutaminase: expression in human skin and psoriasis. J Invest Dermatol. 1992;99:27–34.PubMed
25.
go back to reference Rice RH, Green H. The cornified envelope of terminally differentiated human epidermal keratinocytes consists of cross-linked protein. Cell. 1977;11(2):417–22.PubMed Rice RH, Green H. The cornified envelope of terminally differentiated human epidermal keratinocytes consists of cross-linked protein. Cell. 1977;11(2):417–22.PubMed
26.
go back to reference Hampton PJ, Ross OK, Reynolds NJ. Increased nuclear beta-catenin in suprabasal involved psoriatic epidermis. Br J Dermatol. 2007;157(6):1168–77.PubMed Hampton PJ, Ross OK, Reynolds NJ. Increased nuclear beta-catenin in suprabasal involved psoriatic epidermis. Br J Dermatol. 2007;157(6):1168–77.PubMed
27.
go back to reference Depianto D, Kerns ML, Dlugosz AA, Coulombe PA. Keratin 17 promotes epithelial proliferation and tumor growth by polarizing the immune response in skin. Nat Genet. 2010;42(10):910–4.PubMedPubMedCentral Depianto D, Kerns ML, Dlugosz AA, Coulombe PA. Keratin 17 promotes epithelial proliferation and tumor growth by polarizing the immune response in skin. Nat Genet. 2010;42(10):910–4.PubMedPubMedCentral
28.
go back to reference Chung BM, Arutyunov A, Ilagan E, Yao N, Wills-Karp M. Pierre A CoulombeRegulation of C-X-C chemokine gene expression by keratin 17 and hnRNP K in skin tumor keratinocytes. J Cell Biol. 2015;208(5):613–27.PubMedPubMedCentral Chung BM, Arutyunov A, Ilagan E, Yao N, Wills-Karp M. Pierre A CoulombeRegulation of C-X-C chemokine gene expression by keratin 17 and hnRNP K in skin tumor keratinocytes. J Cell Biol. 2015;208(5):613–27.PubMedPubMedCentral
29.
go back to reference Liang J, Wang G. Keratin 17: a critical player in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Med Res Rev. 2014;34(2):438–54. Liang J, Wang G. Keratin 17: a critical player in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Med Res Rev. 2014;34(2):438–54.
30.
go back to reference Iizuka H, Takahashi H, Honma M, Ishida-Yamamoto A. Unique keratinization process in psoriasis: late differentiation markers are abolished because of the premature cell death. J Dermatol. 2004;31(4):271–6.PubMed Iizuka H, Takahashi H, Honma M, Ishida-Yamamoto A. Unique keratinization process in psoriasis: late differentiation markers are abolished because of the premature cell death. J Dermatol. 2004;31(4):271–6.PubMed
Metadata
Title
Indirubin inhibits Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway via promoter demethylation of WIF-1
Authors
Shou Gang Liu
Guang Pu Luo
Yong Bin Qu
Yong Feng Chen
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-03045-9

Other articles of this Issue 1/2020

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2020 Go to the issue