Interleukin-20 as a target in psoriasis treatment

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2007 Sep:1110:368-81. doi: 10.1196/annals.1423.039.

Abstract

Interleukin-20 (IL-20) is a new member of the IL-10 cytokine family discovered by a structural algorithm. IL-20 transgenic mice displayed skin abnormalities reminiscent of psoriasis, a finding that has prompted the investigation of this new interleukin in relation to this disease. This article reviews the role of IL-20 and its implication in psoriasis. It is shown that IL-20 and its receptors are found in human skin and that IL-20 is involved in proliferation, angiogenesis, and chemotaxis, all characteristics of psoriasis. We demonstrated that IL-20 induced the thickening of human epidermis in vivo; however, this thickening does not seem to be related to a direct effect of IL-20 on hyperproliferation since the growth of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) cultured in vitro was not affected by IL-20. On the other hand, in vitro, IL-20 stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to produce proinflammatory cytokines and, in vivo, IL-20 in combination with PBMCs induced psoriasis. This may suggest that IL-20 indirectly exerts its proliferative effects on keratinocytes via immune cells present in the skin. Finally, we found that blocking IL-20 signaling in psoriasis improves psoriasis, suggesting that IL-20 is a potential target in psoriasis treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Humans
  • Interleukins / immunology*
  • Interleukins / metabolism
  • Psoriasis / immunology*
  • Psoriasis / metabolism
  • Psoriasis / pathology
  • Psoriasis / therapy*
  • Receptors, Interleukin / immunology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Interleukins
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • interleukin-20 receptor
  • interleukin 20