Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease driven by a dysregulated immune response in which a specialized subset of T cells, known as TH17 cells, produce high levels of interleukin-17 and fuel persistent tissue damage. The balance between these pathogenic TH17 cells and the regulatory T cells that normally suppress excessive inflammation is shaped by cytokines including interleukin-23 and TGF-β, and understanding how that balance tips toward disease has transformed treatment—targeted biologics that block IL-17 or IL-23 signaling now offer substantial relief for many patients. Key open questions concern why this regulatory breakdown occurs selectively in certain tissues and individuals, and how genetic background interacts with environmental triggers to initiate and sustain the inflammatory cycle. Researchers are also working to clarify whether restoring functional regulatory T cells, rather than simply blocking downstream cytokines, could offer more durable remission.

Works

77,317

Total citations

1,326,881

Keywords

IL-17TH17 CellsInterleukin-23Autoimmune InflammationPsoriasisTGF-ß