The antimicrobial peptide LL37 is a T-cell autoantigen in psoriasis

Nat Commun. 2014 Dec 3:5:5621. doi: 10.1038/ncomms6621.

Abstract

Psoriasis is a common T-cell-mediated skin disease with 2-3% prevalence worldwide. Psoriasis is considered to be an autoimmune disease, but the precise nature of the autoantigens triggering T-cell activation remains poorly understood. Here we find that two-thirds of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis harbour CD4(+) and/or CD8(+) T cells specific for LL37, an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) overexpressed in psoriatic skin and reported to trigger activation of innate immune cells. LL37-specific T cells produce IFN-γ, and CD4(+) T cells also produce Th17 cytokines. LL37-specific T cells can infiltrate lesional skin and may be tracked in patients blood by tetramers staining. Presence of circulating LL37-specific T cells correlates significantly with disease activity, suggesting a contribution to disease pathogenesis. Thus, we uncover a role of LL37 as a T-cell autoantigen in psoriasis and provide evidence for a role of AMPs in both innate and adaptive immune cell activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Autoantigens / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cathelicidins / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Psoriasis / immunology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Autoantigens
  • Cathelicidins