title: Pathogenesis and immunotherapy in cutaneous psoriasis: what can rheumatologists learn?
abstract: This review presents our current understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of psoriasis with a particular focus on recent areas of research and emerging concepts.
  
  
  
  Psoriasis arises in genetically predisposed individuals who have an abnormal innate and adaptive immune response to environmental factors. Recent studies have identified novel genetic, epigenetic and immunological factors that play a role in the disease pathogenesis. There is emerging evidence for the role of the skin microbiome in psoriasis. Studies have shown reduced diversity and altered composition of the skin microbiota in psoriasis.
  
  
  
  Recent advances in our understanding of the complex immunopathogenesis of psoriasis have led to the identification of crucial cytokines and cell signalling pathways that are targeted by a range of immunotherapies.
authors.affiliation: aSt. John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London bNIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospitals and King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Frank O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Nestle
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D057890:Epigenomics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D064307:Microbiota; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors