Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Moxibustion significantly reduces skin lesion severity in a rat model of atopic dermatitis, confirming its therapeutic efficacy. • Proteomic analysis identified 68 differentially expressed proteins reversed by moxibustion, highlighting its multi-target mechanism. • Key pathways involved include neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, TRP channel regulation, and neutrophil extracellular trap formation. • Moxibustion modulates proteins such as integrin β3 and NF-κB subunit 1, suggesting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Moxibustion has been demonstrated as an effective therapeutic approach for atopic dermatitis, yet its underlying mechanisms remain to be further elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms of moxibustion intervention in atopic dermatitis using proteomics technology. METHODS: Thirty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: a model group (n=12), a moxibustion group (n=12), and a blank group (n=10). The first two groups were induced to develop an atopic dermatitis model using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene. Following successful modeling, the moxibustion group received moxibustion therapy with moxa sticks applied to the Ashi point for 30 minutes per session, maintaining a local temperature of (43±1) °C, administered every other day over a 14-day intervention period. The model group and blank control group underwent restraint and fixation procedures of the same duration and intensity. Skin lesion severity after modeling was evaluated using the Eczema Area and Severity Index. Proteomic analysis of rat skin tissue was performed using a data-independent acquisition approach on a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry platform. Mass spectrometry data processing, protein identification, differential protein expression analysis, functional annotation, and bioinformatics analyses were conducted using MaxQuant, Perseus software, DAVID, STRING, and Cytoscape. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After moxibustion treatment, the skin lesion score of atopic dermatitis model rats was significantly lower than that of the model group (P < 0.05), indicating successful modeling. Moxibustion reversed the upregulation of 28 differentially expressed proteins and the downregulation of 40 differentially expressed proteins in the model group. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the main signaling pathways involved in atopic dermatitis pathogenesis include neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptor, inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP channels, and neutrophil extracellular trap formation. Among these, the expression regulation of integrin β3 and β-1,4-galactosyltransferase proteins may be most relevant to the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. The mechanisms of moxibustion in treating atopic dermatitis mainly involve herpes simplex virus 1 infection, olfactory transduction, influenza A, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and other infection- or immune-related signaling pathways. The most relevant proteins include nuclear factor κB subunit 1, major histocompatibility complex protein, RT1-Bb, Jak1, and Cdk6. These findings suggest that moxibustion exerts a multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-channel intervention effect on atopic dermatitis, reversing the inflammatory response caused by atopic dermatitis and exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
1. Introduction
The etiology of atopic dermatitis is not fully understood, and its pathological mechanisms are complex, involving interactions and crosstalk among epidermal barrier defects, skin microbiome, and immune dysregulation. This complexity leads to a lack of clear therapeutic targets, necessitating the search for effective, safe, and convenient treatment modalities to address this challenge [1-5]. Numerous clinical trials have confirmed that moxibustion is effective in treating atopic dermatitis, accelerating skin lesion recovery and improving pruritus symptoms [6-9]. Although these studies have revealed the efficacy of moxibustion, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood and require further investigation using modern scientific techniques.
Proteomics technology can reveal the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets of disease development from a holistic protein level, providing an opportunity to study the mechanisms of moxibustion in treating atopic dermatitis. Our research group aims to preliminarily explore the effector mechanisms of moxibustion using proteomics, thereby endowing this traditional method for intervening in immune-related skin diseases with deeper scientific connotation.
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Yang Yunhong, Guo Lihua, Tang Han, Lin Lvping, Kuang Hongjun, Zhao Hong (2026). Proteomic analysis of the mechanism of moxibustion intervention in a rat model of atopic dermatitis. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research. https://doi.org/10.12307/2026.21398
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main objective of this study?
The main objective is to investigate the mechanisms of moxibustion intervention in atopic dermatitis using proteomics technology.
How was the atopic dermatitis model established in rats?
The model was induced using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene in Sprague-Dawley rats.
What were the key findings regarding differentially expressed proteins?
Moxibustion reversed the upregulation of 28 proteins and downregulation of 40 proteins in the model group, indicating its regulatory effects on protein expression.
Which signaling pathways are involved in the therapeutic effect of moxibustion?
The pathways include neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptor, inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP channels, and neutrophil extracellular trap formation, among others.
What are the most relevant proteins modulated by moxibustion?
The most relevant proteins include nuclear factor κB subunit 1, major histocompatibility complex protein, RT1-Bb, Jak1, and Cdk6.
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