The Role of IL-17 Cytokines in Psoriasis

Megan Mosca; Julie Hong; Edward Hadeler; Marwa Hakimi; Wilson Liao; Tina Bhutani

doi:10.2147/ITT.S240891

The Role of IL-17 Cytokines in Psoriasis

Immunotargets Ther. 2021 Nov 24:10:409-418. doi: 10.2147/ITT.S240891. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Megan Mosca¹, Julie Hong¹, Edward Hadeler¹, Marwa Hakimi¹, Wilson Liao¹, Tina Bhutani¹

Affiliation

¹ Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center, Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition associated with immune dysregulation. The immunologic cascade mediated by the interleukin (IL)-17 pathway plays a critically important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The IL-17 effectors (IL-17A, IL-17C, IL-17E, and IL17F) act on keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and immune cells to stimulate epidermal hyperplasia and the pro-inflammatory feed-forward cycle seen within plaque psoriasis. The IL-17 pathway is also hypothesized to modulate the inflammatory responses linking comorbid systemic diseases with psoriasis. Furthermore, the robust clinical response seen with current and emerging therapies targeting IL-17 emphasizes the importance of the IL-17 cytokines in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Keywords: IL-17; biologics; immune pathway; pathogenesis; plaque psoriasis.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

No funding or sponsorship was received for this study or publication of this article.