Asia Pacific Academy of Science Pte. Ltd. (APACSCI) specializes in international journal publishing. APACSCI adopts the open access publishing model and provides an important communication bridge for academic groups whose interest fields include engineering, technology, medicine, computer, mathematics, agriculture and forestry, and environment.
New insights into the pathogenesis of cutaneous autoimmune disorders
Vol 26, Issue 2, 2012
Abstract
T helper 17 (Th17) cells are characterized by the secretion of IL-17, a proinflammatory cytokine. They represent a newly described T helper subpopulation that is distinct from Th1 and Th2 lineages. Because of their pleiotropic activity on fibroblasts, keratinocytes, endothelial cells, neutrophils and memory T cells, Th17 cells are thought to be crucial in mediating tissue inflammation and autoimmunity. Autoimmune diseases were classically considered as Th1-mediated disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or mixed Th1/Th2 diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus, bullous diseases, but new evidence suggests the deep involvement of Th17 cells in their pathogenesis that, potentially, may address a selective therapeutic approach targeting the IL23/Th17 pathway. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the pathogenic contribution of Th17 cells in select cutaneous autoimmune disorders, including lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris.
Keywords
References
Supporting Agencies
Copyright (c) 2012 A. Chiricozzi, S. Zhang, A. Dattola, M.V. Cannizzaro, M. Gabellini, S. Chimenti, S.P. Nistico
This site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Medical Genetics, University of Torino Medical School, Italy
Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Italy