Abstract
Peripheral blood dendritic cells seem to play a crucial role in psoriatic inflammatory processes. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between plasma interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels and blood dendritic cells in psoriatic patients. IL-18 plasma levels were measured by ELISA. Phenotypes of dendritic cell subsets were analyzed by double-colour flow cytometry. Plasma IL-18 level in psoriatic males was significantly higher, whereas counts of BDCA-2+ cells were lower than in the control group. The myeloid/plasmacytoid ratio was significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control one. In the patient group, significant negative correlations between plasma IL-18 level and both the BDCA-1+ and BDCA-2+ counts were found. BDCA-1+ counts correlated negatively with percentage of skin involvement. IL-18 seems to play a role in psoriasis pathogenesis. The decreased counts of blood plasmacytoid DCs in psoriatic patients might result from IL-18 down-regulation of plasmacytoid DC precursor proliferation.
Highlights
Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is produced by a wide range of cells, primarily macrophages, monocytes, and to a smaller degree by keratinocytes and osteoblasts [1]
IL-18 contributes to inflammation and fever due to its potent inducing effects on the gene expression and synthesis of interferon-γ (IFNγ), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF), tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), fas ligand (FasL), and several chemokines [3,4,5,6,7]
6- to 8-fold higher concentrations of IL-18 receptors mRNA were observed in psoriatic lesional skin in comparison to both uninvolved skin of psoriasis patients and healthy subjects [13,14,15]
Summary
Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is produced by a wide range of cells, primarily macrophages, monocytes, and to a smaller degree by keratinocytes and osteoblasts [1]. It strengthens cytotoxic properties of natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells. The level of IL-18 mRNA was demonstrated to be 2- to 8-fold higher in extracts from psoriatic skin lesions than the one obtained from both uninvolved skin extracts in psoriasis patients and healthy subjects. 6- to 8-fold higher concentrations of IL-18 receptors mRNA were observed in psoriatic lesional skin in comparison to both uninvolved skin of psoriasis patients and healthy subjects [13,14,15]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
