Dysbiosis in imiquimod-induced psoriasis alters gut immunity and exacerbates colitis development

Abstract

Psoriasis has long been associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, a causal link is yet to be established. Here, we demonstrate that imiquimod-induced psoriasis (IMQ-pso) in mice disrupts gut homeostasis, characterized by increased proportions of colonic CX₃CR₁^hi macrophages, altered cytokine production, and bacterial dysbiosis. Gut microbiota from these mice produce higher levels of succinate, which induce de novo proliferation of CX₃CR₁^hi macrophages ex vivo, while disrupted gut homeostasis primes IMQ-pso mice for more severe colitis with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) challenge. These results demonstrate that changes in the gut environment in psoriasis lead to greater susceptibility to IBD in mice, suggesting a two-hit requirement, that is, psoriasis-induced altered gut homeostasis and a secondary environmental challenge. This may explain the increased prevalence of IBD in patients with psoriasis.