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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
08:49
Cultivating a Three-dimensional Reconstructed Human Epidermis at a Large Scale
Published on: May 28, 2021
IL-23-mediated epidermal hyperplasia is dependent on IL-6
Josefine Lindroos1, Lars Svensson, Hanne Norsgaard
1Department of Pharmacology, LEO Pharma A/S, Ballerup, Denmark.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|February 4, 2011
Summary
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is crucial for the development of skin inflammation induced by Interleukin-23 (IL-23), a key driver of psoriasis. IL-6 is essential for the expression of the IL-22 receptor, impacting Th17 cell responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition driven by T helper 17 (Th17) cells.
- Interleukin-23 (IL-23) promotes Th17 cell differentiation and maturation.
- Increased IL-23 levels and IL-23-induced skin inflammation in mice mimic psoriatic phenotypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To molecularly characterize IL-23-induced skin inflammation in mice.
- To investigate the role of IL-6 in IL-23-driven skin inflammation.
- To correlate mouse model findings with human psoriatic gene expression profiles.
Main Methods:
- Induction of skin inflammation via intradermal IL-23 injections in wild-type and IL-6 knockout (IL-6(-/-)) mice.
- Analysis of gene and protein expression, including IL-6, IL-17A, IL-22, and IL-22 receptor subunit 1 (IL-22R1).
- Comparison of molecular profiles with gene expression data from lesional psoriatic skin.
Main Results:
- IL-23 injection caused significant upregulation of IL-6 mRNA and protein in mouse skin.
- IL-6(-/-) mice showed impaired IL-23-induced skin inflammation, despite high IL-22 production.
- IL-6 deficiency prevented the expression of the high-affinity IL-22 receptor chain (IL-22R1) and reduced IL-17A production.
Conclusions:
- IL-6 plays a critical role in IL-23-induced skin inflammation, mirroring aspects of psoriasis pathogenesis.
- IL-6 is essential for the expression of IL-22R1, mediating IL-23-driven Th17 responses.
- The study highlights a key molecular pathway involving IL-6 and IL-22R1 in IL-23-induced skin inflammation relevant to psoriasis.
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