FibroBiologics presents preclinical data on HDF spheroids to treat psoriasis

FibroBiologics presented preclinical data that employs human dermal fibroblast spheroids to treat an induced mouse model of psoriasis at the 2024 Keystone Symposia for Systemic Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Diseases during a poster presentation. Psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder often characterized by the development of plaques and scales on the skin, which in many individuals may lead to psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis affects more than eight million adults in the United States alone, and FibroBiologics is investigating the therapeutic potential of HDFs for treating this disorder and providing relief to patients. In our study using an imiquimod-induced psoriasis model in C57BL/6J mice, we found that a single intravenous administration of HDF spheroids significantly reduced the severity of psoriatic skin lesions, with a 35% decrease in average Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score. Systemic effects were also evident, as HDF spheroid administration ameliorated IMQ-induced changes in spleen size and lymphocyte and monocyte counts. The ability of HDF spheroids to affect markers of psoriatic inflammation was further explored by co-culturing with human blood-derived monocytes. HDFs inhibited tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin -17 production in addition to suppressing cytokine-induced dendritic cell maturation by down-regulating CD40, CD80, CD86, and IL-12 and up-regulating inhibitory molecules, including IL-10, IL-1 receptor antagonist and programmed cell death-1.