Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
12:59
Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes
Published on: September 26, 2013
The CCL20-CCR6 axis predominantly drives IL-17-mediated psoriasis while modestly contributing to papain-induced type
Supanuch Ekronarongchai1, Nozomi Sachi1, Yomei Kagoshima1
1Department of Infectious Disease Control, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, 879-5593, Japan.
International Immunology
|July 11, 2026
Summary
The CCL20-CCR6 pathway significantly impacts psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) development. Targeting this axis may offer new treatments for IL-17-driven skin inflammation, especially in psoriasis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Chronic inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) involve immune system dysregulation.
- The chemokine CCL20 and its receptor CCR6 are elevated in affected skin areas of patients with psoriasis and AD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the CCL20-CCR6 signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and AD.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of targeting the CCL20-CCR6 axis in these skin conditions.
Main Methods:
- Generation of CCL20- and CCR6-deficient (KO) mice.
- Utilized imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis model and papain-induced AD model.
- Analyzed clinical scores, cytokine expression (Th17, IL-4), IgE levels, and immune cell infiltration (T cells, mast cells).
Main Results:
- CCL20- and CCR6-KO mice showed reduced disease severity in both IMQ-induced psoriasis and papain-induced AD models compared to wild-type mice.
- In psoriasis models, KO mice exhibited decreased Th17 cytokines and reduced migration of specific T cells.
- In AD models, KO mice displayed reduced type 2 responses, including IL-4 and IgE, with limited impact on other immune cells.
Conclusions:
- The CCL20-CCR6 axis is a major driver of psoriasis pathogenesis, particularly IL-17-driven inflammation.
- The CCL20-CCR6 axis plays a less significant role in papain-induced AD-like inflammation.
- Targeting the CCL20-CCR6 pathway presents a promising therapeutic strategy, especially for psoriasis.
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