Korean J Dermatol.  2022 Aug;60(7):409-413.

Alteration of Th1 and Th17 Inflammatory Cytokines in the Skin Lesions after Psoriasis Treatment

• Park HJ
• Chang HJ
• Kim TG
• Kwon MY
• Lim CY
• Ju HJ
• Lee KH
• Park CJ

Abstract

Background
Psoriasis is a T cell-mediated disorder. Appropriate treatment of psoriasis can result in a plethora of dynamic changes in the T cells and their cytokine production. Studies on the expression of Th1 and Th17 inflammatory cytokines after various treatments have reported inconsistent results.
Objective
This study aimed to investigate the changes in inflammatory cytokine expression in psoriasis skin lesions before and after psoriasis treatment.
Methods
Five patients with plaque psoriasis were enrolled in the study. The tissue mRNA and protein levels of interleukin (IL)-12, IL-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-23, IL-17A, and IL-22 in psoriatic skin lesions before and after psoriasis treatment were detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining, respectively.
Results
The decrease in the psoriasis area and severity index was accompanied by a reduction in IL-12 and IL-23 mRNA levels and a concomitant reduction of IL-2 and IL-17A protein levels in psoriasis skin lesions. Both mRNA and protein levels of IFN-γ in psoriatic skin lesions increased after treatment.
Conclusion
The mRNA levels of tissue inflammatory cytokines (IL-12 and IL-23) and the protein levels of tissue inflammatory cytokines (IL-2 and IL-17A) significantly decreased after psoriasis treatment. The mRNA and protein levels of IFN-γ increased, even after psoriasis treatment.

Keyword

Cytokines; Psoriasis; Therapy