Comparative Study of the Effect of 5,6-Dihydroergosterol and 3-epi-5,6-dihydroergosterol on Chemokine Expression in Human Keratinocytes

5,6-Dihydroergosterol-glucose is an organic synthetic derivative of spinasterol-glucose, which has potent anti-inflammatory activity. We previously synthesized alpha and beta anomers of DHE-glycosides and compared their inhibitory activity on CCL17 and CCL22 mRNA expression induced by TNF-α/IFN-γ in activated HaCaTs. Recently, we synthesized a new type of DHE-glycosides, 3-epi-5,6-dihydroergosterol(3-epi-DHE)-glycosides, and compared its inhibitory activity on mRNA expression levels of CCL17 and CCL22 in TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced HaCaT. DHE-Xly did not affect TNF-α/IFN-γ induced CCL17 and CCL22 mRNA expression in HaCaTs, however, 3-epi-DHE-Xly strongly inhibited TNF-α/IFN-γ induced CCL17 and CCL22 mRNA expression levels in human keratinocytes. These results provide important clues for development of chronic dermatitis treatment via inhibition of chemokine expression using DHE derivatives.