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Lymphocyte Isolation from Human Skin for Phenotypic Analysis and Ex Vivo Cell Culture
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Published on: April 8, 2016

Cytokines in skin lesions of psoriasis

A J Gearing1, N J Fincham, C R Bird

  • 1National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Potters Bar, Herts, UK.

Cytokine
|January 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Psoriatic lesions show elevated levels of biologically active interleukin-8 (IL-8), a neutrophil attractant. Other tested cytokines were not significantly elevated or biologically active in psoriatic skin, suggesting IL-8

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Dermatology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease.
  • Cytokines play a crucial role in immune responses and inflammation.
  • Understanding cytokine profiles in psoriatic lesions is vital for disease pathogenesis research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare cytokine levels in psoriatic lesions versus normal skin.
  • To identify specific cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Main Methods:

  • Aqueous extracts of stratum corneum from psoriatic lesions and normal heel skin were analyzed.
  • Immunoassays and biological activity tests were used to quantify cytokine levels.
  • Specific neutralizing antiserum was employed to identify chemoattractants.

Main Results:

  • Normal heel skin showed high levels of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and beta, with only IL-1 alpha being biologically active.
  • Psoriatic lesions had significantly reduced IL-1 levels.
  • A neutrophil chemoattractant, identified as interleukin-8 (IL-8), was elevated in psoriatic lesions.
  • Tumor necrosis factor alpha/beta and interferon alpha/gamma were detected by immunoassay but lacked biological activity in lesions.
  • Interleukins 2, 4, 6, and GM-CSF were undetectable in all samples.

Conclusions:

  • Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is the primary biologically active cytokine elevated in psoriatic lesions.
  • IL-8 may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
  • Further research into IL-8's role could lead to targeted therapies.

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