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Review
. 2018 Dec;55(3):379-390.
doi: 10.1007/s12016-018-8702-3.

The Immunologic Role of IL-17 in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Pathogenesis

Andrew Blauvelt  1 , Andrea Chiricozzi  2
Affiliations
Review

The Immunologic Role of IL-17 in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Pathogenesis

Andrew Blauvelt et al. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2018 Dec.

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory disease that is pathogenically driven by proinflammatory cytokines. This article reviews the immunologic role of interleukin (IL)-17, the major effector cytokine in the pathogenesis of psoriatic disease, along with the rationale for targeting the IL-17 cytokine family (IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-17 receptor A) in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Emerging evidence indicates that major sources of IL-17A in patients with psoriatic disease are mast cells, γδ T cells, αβ T cells, and innate lymphoid cells in lesional skin and synovial fluid. Within the skin and joints, IL-17A acts on cellular targets, including keratinocytes, neutrophils, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, osteoclasts, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts, to stimulate production of various antimicrobial peptides, chemokines, and proinflammatory and proliferative cytokines, which, in turn, promote tissue inflammation and bone remodeling. The critical importance of the IL-23/IL-17A axis to the pathogenesis of psoriatic disease has resulted in many new biologic treatments targeting these cytokines. These biologics dramatically improve skin and joint symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Keywords: Adaptive immunity; IL-17 receptor A; IL-17A; IL-17F; Innate immunity; Psoriasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

A Blauvelt has been a scientific adviser and clinical study investigator for AbbVie, Aclaris, Akros, Allergan, Almirall, Amgen, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Celgene, Dermavant, Dermira, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Galderma, Genentech/Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Meiji, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Purdue Pharma, Regeneron, Revance, Sandoz, Sanofi Genzyme, Sienna Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharma, UCB Pharma, Valeant, and Vidac, and a paid speaker for Janssen, Regeneron, and Sanofi Genzyme. A Chiricozzi has been a scientific consultant and/or clinical study investigator for AbbVie, Biogen, Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Sanofi Genzyme, and a speaker for Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen, AbbVie, and Novartis.

Ethical Approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by either author.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Effects of IL-17 on different cellular targets
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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