title: Role of IL-23 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis: a novel potential therapeutic target?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder determined by the activation of several immune cells and resident tissue cells. Various cytokines mediate inflammatory signals, including IL-23, which is an important factor involved in the differentiation of T helper (Th17) cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Increasing evidence suggests that IL-23 is a central cytokine to the pathogenesis of psoriasis. An overview on both experimental and human data will be reported in order to support the hypothesis of a key pathogenic role of IL-23/Th17 axis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Targeting IL-23 might be a more selective, valid and effective therapeutic approach, which, potentially, may show important advantages in terms of long-term efficacy and safety in the treatment of psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Dermatology , Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome , Italy +39 339 566 8320 ; +39 062 090 2742 ; chiricozziandrea@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiricozzi
authors.forename: Rosita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saraceno
authors.forename: Maria Sole
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Chimenti
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guttman-Yassky
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Krueger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D053762:Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D053760:Interleukin-23 Subunit p19 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; C515500:IL23R protein, human; D053762:Interleukin-12 Subunit p40; D053759:Interleukin-23; D053760:Interleukin-23 Subunit p19; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin