title: Recent advances in understanding psoriasis.
abstract: T helper (Th) cells producing interleukin (IL)-17, IL-22, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) form the key T cell population driving psoriasis pathogenesis. They orchestrate the inflammation in the skin that results in the proliferation of keratinocytes and endothelial cells. Besides Th17 cells, other immune cells that are capable of producing IL-17-associated cytokines participate in psoriatic inflammation. Recent advances in psoriasis research improved our understanding of the cellular and molecular players that are involved in Th17 pathology and inflammatory pathways in the skin. The inflammation-driving actions of TNF in psoriasis are already well known and antibodies against TNF are successful in the treatment of Th17-mediated psoriatic skin inflammation. A further key cytokine with potent IL-17-/IL-22-promoting properties is IL-23. Therapeutics directly neutralizing IL-23 or IL-17 itself are now extending the therapeutic spectrum of antipsoriatic agents and further developments are on the way. The enormous progress in psoriasis research allows us to control this Th17-mediated inflammatory skin disease in many patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Franziska C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Eberle
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brück
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Holstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirahara
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Kamran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ghoreschi
keywords: T helper cells; keratinocyte; psoriasis; skin inflammation