Local IL-23 is required for proliferation and retention of skin-resident memory TH17 cells

Sci Immunol. 2022 Nov 18;7(77):eabq3254. doi: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abq3254. Epub 2022 Nov 11.

Abstract

The cytokine interleukin-23 (IL-23) is critical for development and maintenance of autoimmune inflammation in nonlymphoid tissues; however, the mechanism through which IL-23 supports tissue-specific immunity remains unclear. In mice, we found that circulating memory T cells were dispensable for anamnestic protection from Candida albicans skin infection, and tissue-resident memory (TRM) cell-mediated protection from C. albicans reinfection required IL-23. Administration of anti-IL-23 receptor antibody to mice after resolution of primary C. albicans infection resulted in loss of CD69+ CD103+ tissue-resident memory T helper 17 (TRM17) cells from skin, and clinical anti-IL-23 therapy depleted TRM17 cells from skin of patients with psoriasis. IL-23 receptor blockade impaired TRM17 cell proliferation but did not affect apoptosis susceptibility or tissue egress. IL-23 produced by CD301b+ myeloid cells was required for TRM17 maintenance in skin after C. albicans infection, and CD301b+ cells were necessary for TRM17 expansion during the development of imiquimod dermatitis. This study demonstrates that locally produced IL-23 promotes in situ proliferation of cutaneous TRM17 cells to support their longevity and function and provides mechanistic insight into the durable efficacy of IL-23 blockade in the treatment of psoriasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Candida albicans / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-23*
  • Mice
  • Psoriasis*

Substances

  • Interleukin-23
  • Interleukin-17