[HTML][HTML] Foxp3+ regulatory T cells of psoriasis patients easily differentiate into IL-17A-producing cells and are found in lesional skin

HJ Bovenschen, PC Van De Kerkhof… - Journal of Investigative …, 2011 - Elsevier
HJ Bovenschen, PC Van De Kerkhof, PE Van Erp, R Woestenenk, I Joosten, HJPM Koenen
Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2011Elsevier
Psoriasis is an autoimmune-related chronic inflammatory skin disease that is strongly
associated with IL-23 and T helper-17 (Th17) effector cytokines. In addition, CD4+ CD25
high regulatory T-cell (Treg) function appeared to be impaired in psoriasis. CD4+ CD25 high
Foxp3+ Tregs are typically considered inhibitors of autoimmune responses. However, under
proinflammatory conditions, Tregs can differentiate into inflammation-associated Th17 cells—
a paradigm shift, with as yet largely unknown consequences for human disease initiation or …
Psoriasis is an autoimmune-related chronic inflammatory skin disease that is strongly associated with IL-23 and T helper-17 (Th17) effector cytokines. In addition, CD4+CD25high regulatory T-cell (Treg) function appeared to be impaired in psoriasis. CD4+CD25highFoxp3+ Tregs are typically considered inhibitors of autoimmune responses. However, under proinflammatory conditions, Tregs can differentiate into inflammation-associated Th17 cells—a paradigm shift, with as yet largely unknown consequences for human disease initiation or progression. Th17 cells are highly proinflammatory T cells that are characterized by IL-17A and IL-22 production and expression of the transcription factor retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt). We here show that Tregs of patients with severe psoriasis, as compared with those of healthy controls, have an enhanced propensity to differentiate into IL-17A-producing cells on ex vivo stimulation. This enhanced Treg differentiation was linked to unexpectedly high RORγt levels and enhanced loss of Foxp3. Notably, IL-23 boosted this Treg differentiation process particularly in patients with psoriasis but less so in controls. IL-23 further reduced Foxp3 expression while leaving the high RORγt levels unaffected. The histone/protein deacetylase inhibitor, Trichostatin-A, prevented Th17 differentiation of Tregs in psoriasis patients. Importantly, IL-17A+/Foxp3+/CD4+ triple-positive cells were present in skin lesions of patients with severe psoriasis. These data stress the clinical relevance of Treg differentiation for the perpetuation of chronic inflammatory disease and may pave novel ways for immunotherapy.
Elsevier