Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis Mice Model: A Promising Tool for Psoriasis Research? Badanthadka Murali1,*, D'Souza Lidwin2 1Nitte University Centre for Animal Research and Experimentation (NUCARE), Division of NGSMIPS, Paneer, Deralakatte, Mangalore-575018 2Norwich Clinical Services Pvt. Ltd., 147/F, 8th Main, 3rd Block, Koramangala, Bangalore-560034 *Corresponding Author E-mail: murali@nitte.edu.in
Online published on 10 August, 2020. Abstract Psoriasis is an autoimmune, inflammatory skin disease known to lead by the combination of genetic and environmental factors. Globally it affects around 2–3% of the population, which significantly affect the quality of life of the people because of its chronic nature and financial burden. The disease develops as the consequence of the complex interplay between the immune system, epidermal keratinocytes, and other APCs. The lack of a suitable model vastly hindered the research in psoriasis. Over the years, developed number of animal models, but none of them were proved to be completely mimic the phenotype and mechanism supports the disease progression. IMQ is used for the treatment of neoplastic and viral skin diseases, including perianal and genital warts, actinic keratosis, and superficial basal cell carcinoma. However, repeated application of IMQ leads to psoriasiform dermatitis by the activation of toll-like receptor 7/8, which accelerates to the release of inflammatory cytokines by the involved mechanisms. Although many preclinical models are available for the screening of antipsoriatic agents, IMQ-induced psoriasis has been considered as an easy, convenient, immunologically clean animal model. Over the years, the utilization of this model is significantly increased. There also exist some limitations which cannot be over looked. Attentive contemplations are necessary for the interpretation of the results obtained by employing this model. In this review, we provided an insight into the IMQ-induced psoriasis mice model. Top Keywords Psoriasis, IMQ, Mice model. Top |