Th2 cytokines enhance TrkA expression, upregulate proliferation, and downregulate differentiation of keratinocytes

•Expression of TrkA in keratinocytes is significantly increased by IL-4 and IL-13.•IL-4 promotes proliferation and inhibits differentiation of keratinocytes.•Inhibition of TrkA alters IL-4-induced proliferation and differentiation.•Overexpression of TrkA promotes proliferation of keratinocytes.•Expression of TrkA is enhanced in the epidermis in atopic dermatitis.

BackgroundNerve growth factor (NGF), a neurotrophin that plays a critical role in developmental neurobiology, is released by proliferating keratinocytes and induces proliferation.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the role of tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA), a high-affinity receptor of NGF, in human keratinocytes.MethodsExpression of TrkA and NGF in skin diseases was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Expression of TrkA in cells was examined by Western blotting and RT-PCR. Cell proliferation was assessed by BrdU assay.ResultsWe first determined the expression of TrkA and NGF in skin samples from patients with atopic dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, psoriasis vulgaris, and seborrheic keratosis. TrkA was only expressed in proliferating basal cells, and its expression was enhanced in atopic dermatitis samples. NGF expression was enhanced in atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis samples and in some samples from seborrheic keratosis patients. Investigation of the role of TrkA in vitro using normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) revealed that TrkA was significantly enhanced by the T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 but not by other inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor α, interferon γ, or epidermal growth factor. On the other hand, expression of NGF was not altered by Th2 cytokines. Notably, inhibition of TrkA significantly reversed the effects of IL-4 on proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, overexpression of TrkA enhanced proliferation of NHEK. These results indicate that IL-4-induced TrkA expression in keratinocytes modulates proliferation and differentiation of these cells.ConclusionIncreased TrkA expression in keratinocytes in atopic dermatitis may contribute to the observed epidermal hyperproliferation in these patients.