Korean J Dermatol.  2016 May;54(4):268-274.

A Study of the Balance of Th17 Cells and Regulatory T Cells in Psoriasis

• Na CH
• Kim DJ
• Kim MS
• Shin BS

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Although the pathogenesis of psoriasis is not fully understood, recent studies suggest that an imbalance of T-helper 17 cells (Th17) and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) is associated with psoriasis. However, the association between the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells and psoriasis still remains controversial.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, the proportion of Th17 and Treg cells from peripheral blood were evaluated in patients with psoriasis and normal controls.
METHODS
The proportion of Th17 and Treg cells from peripheral blood were examined by flow cytometry in psoriasis patients (n=20) and age-matched healthy controls (n=23). The correlation between Th17 and Treg cells and the clinical parameters in psoriasis patients were also analyzed.
RESULTS
There were significant increases in the proportion of circulating Th17 cells and the ratio of Th17 to Treg cells in psoriasis patients compared to control (p=0.001 and p=0.002, respectively). In contrast to the Th17 cells, there was no significant difference in the proportion of Treg cells in psoriasis patients compared to control (p=0.310). The ratio of Th17 to Treg cells was positively correlated with body surface area (BSA) (p=0.038). In addition, although the ratio of Th17 to Treg cells increased along with psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score, there was no significant correlation (p=0.062).
CONCLUSION
These findings show that there exists an imbalance in Th17 and Treg cells in psoriasis, which may contribute to its pathogenesis and involved surface area.

Keyword

Psoriasis; Regulatory T cells; Th17 cells

MeSH Terms

Body Surface Area
Flow Cytometry
Humans
Psoriasis*
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory*
Th17 Cells*