MOUSE MODEL OF GENERATIONAL ACQUIRED PSORIASIS INDUCED BY IMIQUIMOD

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by excessive proliferation ofkeratinocytes, which develops with the influence of genetic and environmental factors, familialtransmission has been detected but no associated gene or mutation has been identified, and it is knownthat the disease is triggered by environmental factors. We believe that diseases such as psoriasis, inwhich genetic inheritance has been detected but no associated gene or mutation has been identified,are generationally acquired genetic diseases that are inherited generationally with the influence ofenvironmental factors. Based on this idea, in this study, we aimed to create a transgenerationallyacquired psoriasis mouse model. Based on this aim, generations were completed by applyingimiquimod for 3 generations in our study. Each generation was treated with imiquimod starting fromthe 6th week and the generations were completed. Sham groups, treated with Vaseline, and controlgroups with no treatment were also formed. After mating, mice were sacrificed, and skin biopsies,sperm, and blood samples were collected to analyze telomere lengths and TERRA levels. According toour findings, in the F0 generation psoriasis group, telomere lengths were shortened in blood andlesional, and non-lesional skin, while no significant difference was detected in DNA:RNA hybridTERRA and total TERRA expression levels. In the F1 generation psoriasis group, increased telomerelengths were detected in sperm, lesional, and non-lesional skin, with no significant differences inTERRA expression levels. In the F2 generation, shortened telomere lengths were observed in blood,sperm, lesional, and non-lesional skin, alongside increased DNA:RNA hybrid TERRA expressionlevels