Biomol Ther.  2018 Sep;26(5):481-486. 10.4062/biomolther.2017.130.

Phloxine O, a Cosmetic Colorant, Suppresses the Expression of Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin and Acute Dermatitis Symptoms in Mice

• Lee HE
• Yang G
• Kim KB
• Lee BM
• Lee JY

• KMID: 2421726
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2017.130

Abstract

Cosmetics are primarily applied to the skin; therefore, the association of cosmetic dyes with skin diseases or inflammation is a topic of great interest. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an interleukin 7-like cytokine that activates dendritic cells to promote Th2 inflammatory immune responses. TSLP is highly expressed in keratinocytes under inflammatory conditions, which suggests that it may play a critical role in the development of skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. Therefore, we investigated whether cosmetic dyes influenced the production of TSLP by keratinocytes. Phloxine O, also known as D&C Red No.27, is one of the most common red synthetic pigments and is widely used in colored cosmetics. Our results showed that Phloxine O downregulated phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced production of TSLP in a murine keratinocyte cell line (PAM212). Phloxine O also suppressed TSLP expression in KCMH-1 cells, which are mouse keratinocytes that constitutively produce high levels of TSLP. To investigate the in vivo effects of Phloxine O, we induced TSLP expression in mouse ear skin by topically applying MC903, a vitamin D3 analogue that is a well-known inducer of atopic dermatitis-like symptoms. Topical application of Phloxine O prevented MC903-induced TSLP production in mouse ear skin, attenuated the acute dermatitis-like symptoms and decreased serum IgE and histamine levels in mice. Suppression of TSLP expression by Phloxine O correlated with reduced expression of OX40 ligand and Th2 cytokines in mouse ear skin. Our results showed that Phloxine O may be beneficial to prevent dermatitis by suppressing the expression of TSLP and Th2 cytokines in skin.

Keyword

Cosmetics; TSLP; Inflammation; Keratinocytes; Dermatitis

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cell Line
Cholecalciferol
Coloring Agents
Cytokines
Dendritic Cells
Dermatitis*
Dermatitis, Atopic
Dilatation and Curettage
Ear
Female
Histamine
Immunoglobulin E
Inflammation
Interleukins
Keratinocytes
Mice*
OX40 Ligand
Skin
Skin Diseases
Cholecalciferol
Coloring Agents
Cytokines
Histamine
Immunoglobulin E
Interleukins
OX40 Ligand