Inhibition of Mitochondrial Translation Ameliorates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-Like Skin Inflammation by Targeting Vγ4+ γδ T Cells

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder that is characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation in response to immune cell infiltration and cytokine secretion in the dermis. γδ T cells expressing the Vγ4 TCR chain are among the highest contributors of IL-17A, which is a major cytokine that drives a psoriasis flare, making Vγ4⁺ γδ T cells a suitable target to restrict psoriasis progression. In this study, we demonstrate that mitochondrial translation inhibition within Vγ4⁺ γδ T cells effectively reduced erythema, scaling, and skin thickening in a murine model of psoriatic disease. The antibiotic linezolid, which blocks mitochondrial translation, inhibited the production of mitochondrial-encoded protein cytochrome c oxidase in Vγ4⁺ γδ T cells and systemically reduced the frequencies of IL-17A⁺ Vγ4⁺ γδ T cells, effectively resolving IL-17A–dependent inflammation. Inhibiting mitochondrial translation could be a novel metabolic approach to interrupt IL-17A signaling in Vγ4⁺ T cells and reduce psoriasis-like skin pathophysiology.