Study on the Protective Effect and Mechanism of ERMAP in OXZ-Induced Atopic Dermatitis

Objective The impact of ERMAP (erythrocyte membrane-associated protein) gene deletion on the pathological development of oxazolone (OXA)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) and its possible mechanism.Methods ERMAP⁻/⁻ mice were generated to establish an OXA-induced AD model and were compared to wild-type mice. Skin lesions were assessed using EASI scores and HE staining; protein levels of Claudin-1, Gata3, CD4, and others were measured by immunofluorescence; mRNA levels of IL-17A, TSLP, and other markers were determined through qRT-PCR; and splenic T cell cytokines and macrophage subpopulations were analyzed via flow cytometry.Results ERMAP deletion significantly increased TSLP in the skin, leading to Th2/Th17 inflammation, worsening immune cell infiltration and skin barrier disruption, and boosting the activation of pro-inflammatory T cells and M2 macrophages in the spleen. This broadly exacerbates both local and systemic inflammation in AD.Conclusion ERMAP is an essential protective factor against OXA-induced AD, and its removal worsens the disease through a TSLP-mediated immune pathway, suggesting that ERMAP could be a new potential target for AD therapy.