Psoriasis vulgaris lesions contain discrete populations of Th1 and Th17 T cells

J Invest Dermatol. 2008 May;128(5):1207-11. doi: 10.1038/sj.jid.5701213. Epub 2008 Jan 17.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Dermis / immunology
  • Dermis / pathology*
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Gene Expression / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Interleukin-17 / genetics
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-22
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Keratin-16 / genetics
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy
  • Psoriasis / immunology*
  • Psoriasis / pathology*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Th1 Cells / classification*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / pathology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukins
  • Keratin-16
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Cyclosporine