title: Critical role of the interleukin-23/T-helper 17 cell axis in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
abstract: Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease with dynamic interactions between the immune system and the skin. Recent studies have demonstrated that the interleukin (IL)-23/T-helper (Th)17 cell axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Here, the biology and function of Th17 cells as well as the crucial role of IL-23 in the context of the Th17 cell-dependent chronic inflammation in psoriatic skins are reviewed. Recent study about the role of the IL-23/Th17 axis in the pathogenesis of psoriasis-like lesions in K5.Stat3C transgenic mice is also discussed. This model mouse for psoriasis not only verifies the therapeutic efficacies of biologics that specifically target the IL-23/Th17 axis, but also clarifies the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan. nakajimk@kochi-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kimiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakajima
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000378:metabolism; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D058504:Th17 Cells; D000097043:Interleukin-22
chemical_list: D020381:Interleukin-17; D053759:Interleukin-23; D007378:Interleukins; D000097043:Interleukin-22