This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

IL-17, IL-22 expressed differently in pediatric psoriasis patients compared with adults

Pediatric patients with psoriasis showed different patterns of interleukin-17 and interleukin-22 expression than their adult counterparts.

The researchers investigated skin samples from pediatric and adult patients with psoriasis, along with those from healthy controls, to characterize the inflammatory cell profiles of psoriatic plaques. They used multiparameter flow cytometry to evaluate immune cell subsets present in the pediatric psoriasis group, and to assess which cytokines were produced.

Significant increases in IL-22 derived from CD4+ and CD8+ cells were observed in the pediatric patient group compared to pediatric controls and adult psoriasis patients, according to the findings. Also compared with adult psoriasis patients, children with psoriasis demonstrated significantly less elevation of IL-17 derived from CD4+ and CD8+ cells.

Regulatory T cells were not increased in pediatric patients, whereas those cells were increased in adult psoriasis patients.

“IL-22 might be relevant in the pathogenesis of pediatric psoriasis and represents a potential treatment target unique to pediatric psoriasis,” the researchers concluded. – by Rob Volansky

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.