Molecular action of isoflavone genistein in the human epithelial cell line HaCaT

Due to its strong proliferation-reducing effects on keratinocytes, and also anti-inflammatory properties, the isoflavone genistein has already been proposed as a possible antipsoriatic compound. As there is still no detailed information on this topic, we examined the effects of genistein by using an in vitro model of both, normal and “psoriasis-like” keratinocytes at this stage of our work exhaustively testing the selected flavonoid in a mono-treated experimental design. Gene expression studies revealed transcriptional changes that confirms known disease-associated pathways and highlights many psoriasis-related genes. Our results suggested that aberrant expression of genes contributing to the progress of psoriasis could be improved by the action of genistein. Genistein prevented “cytokine mix” as well as TNF-α-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation, with no effect on the PI3K signaling cascade, indicating the luck of turning this pathway into NF-κB activation. It could have attenuated TNF-α and LPS-induced inflammatory responses by suppressing ROS activation. Regardless of the type of keratinocyte stimulation used, reduction of cytokine IL-8, IL-20 and CCL2 production (both at RNA and protein level) following genistein treatment was visible. Because investigations of other groups supported our commentary on potential administration of genistein as a potential weapon in the armamentarium against psoriasis, it is believed that this paper should serve to encourage researchers to conduct further studies on this subject.