The immunological basis of psoriasis.
Evidence that psoriasis is an immune-mediated disorder comes from laboratory studies, clinical observation, and use of targeted therapies. Immunohistochemical studies have shown that the majority of T cells in psoriatic plaques are CD45RO+ memory-effector T cells that migrate into skin in recognition of an as yet undetermined antigen. There is also a predominance of Th1 cytokines, namely interferon gamma, in psoriatic plaques, in contrast to the predominance of Th2 cytokines found in atopic dermatitis. The efficacy of therapeutic agents that target T cells, such as anti-CD4+ monoclonal antibodies, cyclosporin, and interleukin-2 fusion toxin, has provided further substantial evidence that psoriasis is a T-cell-mediated disease. New T-cell targeted approaches and cytokine modulation are advancing basic science in providing an understanding of the evidence for the importance of the immune process in the biology of psoriasis.
Griffiths
C E M
CE
The Dermatology Centre, University of Manchester School of Medicine, Hope Hospital, Salford, Manchester M6 8HD, UK. christopher.griffiths@man.ac.uk
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015704:CD4 Antigens