The role of AhR agonism
Activation of the AhR has been shown to support normalization of skin barrier function. AhR is highly expressed in epithelial and immune cells of barrier tissues, including the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. AhR activation can promote the following1-3:
A balanced immune response by reducing proinflammatory cytokines.1,4,5
Skin barrier restoration through increased expression of genes that encode skin barrier proteins, such as filaggrin, and genes involved in ceramide production.1,3,5,6
Tapinarof activates AhR
which regulates pathways involved in plaque psoriasis1
In preclinical studies, tapinarof was shown to decrease proinflammatory cytokines and increase expression of genes that encode skin barrier proteins, such as filaggrin, and genes that are involved in lipid production, such as ceramides. This may lead to an anti-inflammatory effect and potential skin barrier restoration.1,3,5,6
The specific mechanisms by which VTAMA exerts its therapeutic actions are unknown.
Through reduction of inflammatory Th17 cytokines involved in plaque psoriasis (as demonstrated in ex vivo, in vitro, and mouse models)1,5
Through increased expression of genes that encode skin barrier proteins and genes that are involved in lipid production (as demonstrated in vitro)1,5,6