Abstract
The importance of T helper 17 (Th17) cells in inflammation and autoimmunity is now being appreciated. We analyzed psoriasis skin lesions and peripheral blood for the presence of IL-17-producing T cells. We localized Th17 cells predominantly to the dermis of psoriasis skin lesions, confirmed that IL-17 mRNA increased with disease activity, and demonstrated that IL-17 mRNA expression normalized with cyclosporine therapy. IL-22 mRNA expression mirrored IL-17 and both were downregulated in parallel with keratin 16. Th17 cells are a discrete population, separate from Th1 cells (which are also in psoriasis lesions), and Th2 cells. Our findings suggest that psoriasis is a mixed Th1 and Th17 inflammatory environment. Th17 cells may be proximal regulators of psoriatic skin inflammation, and warrant further attention as therapeutic targets.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1207-1211 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Investigative Dermatology |
Volume | 128 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology