title: Effect of narrow band ultraviolet B phototherapy on T helper 17 cell specific cytokines (interleukins-17, 22 and 23) in psoriasis vulgaris.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psoriasis is mediated by a T helper 17 (Th17) cell inflammatory process. This study describes the changes in serum levels of IL-17, 22 and 23 in patients of psoriasis vulgaris treated with narrow band ultraviolet B (NBUVB).
  
  
  METHODS
  The serum levels of IL-17, 22 and 23 were compared with a control group (n = 30) before and after NBUVB. In addition, post-NBUVB levels were compared with healthy controls. Psoriasis Area Severity Score (PASI) and Body Surface Area scoring were used to evaluate severity of disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When compared with the non-psoriasis control group, IL-17, 22 and 23 were higher in psoriasis patients (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The serum levels of all three interleukins strongly correlated with severity of disease. Although IL-17, 22 and 23 decreased after NBUVB, decline in IL-17 was not significant after phototherapy as compared to controls (p = 0.634). IL-22 and 23 continued to remain elevated post-phototherapy when compared with control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.0001, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The serum levels of IL-17, 22 and 23 decrease after phototherapy in psoriasis. Post-phototherapy only the IL-17 levels decrease to that of non-psoriasis controls. Our study supports the role of T helper 17 cell specific cytokines in psoriasis and a possible mechanism of action of NBUVB via inhibition of these cytokines.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy , PGIMER Dr RML Hospital , New Delhi , India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bajaj
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy , PGIMER Dr RML Hospital , New Delhi , India.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Gautam
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy , PGIMER Dr RML Hospital , New Delhi , India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khurana
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy , PGIMER Dr RML Hospital , New Delhi , India.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biochemistry , PGIMER Dr RML Hospital , New Delhi , India.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000628:therapy*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins
keywords: IL-17/T helper 17 cell axis; Phototherapy; immunology of psoriasis; pathogenesis of psoriasis