Venomous compounds may lead to better skin treatments

Topical steroids are now most frequently used for mild to moderate psoriasis, but they have side effects such as skin thinning and easy bruising. Solenopsins are the main toxic components of fire ant venom. They chemically resemble ceramides, which are lipid-like molecules essential for maintaining the barrier function of the skin.

Ceramides can act as a double-edged sword, says lead author Dr Jack Arbiser, Professor of Dermatology at Emory University School of Medicine. Under certain conditions, they can be converted by cells into S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate), an inflammatory molecule.

The mice treated with solenopsin analogues displayed decreases in skin thickness compared with controls. The treated mice also had fewer immune cells infiltrating the skin. When applied to immune cells in culture, the compounds decreased the cells’ production of the inflammatory signal IL-22 and increased production of anti-inflammatory IL-12.

The scientists also looked at how patterns of gene activity were changed in the skins of the mice after treatment. Solenopsin analogue application turned down genes that are turned up by current treatments such as steroids and ultraviolet light.

“This may be compensatory and a mechanism of resistance to anti-psoriasis therapy, and it suggests that the solenopsin compounds could be used in combination with existing approaches,” said Dr Arbiser.

Systemic toxicity for the solenopsin derivatives has not been tested, but Dr Arbiser has said systemic toxicity would not necessarily preclude use in skin diseases, citing the example of an external application of botulinum toxin.

The results are scheduled for publication in Scientific Reports.