Involvement of IL-17F via the induction of IL-6 in psoriasis

Recently, the important role of T helper 17 (Th17) cells in psoriasis has been clarified; however, the role of IL-17F produced by Th17 cells is still not fully understood. IL-6 exhibits multiple biologic functions, such as regulation of immunological responses including those in psoriatic reactions. Therefore, we examined the production of IL-6 protein in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) stimulated by IL-17F, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-17A in combination with TNF-α, and PBS control. We then examined the expression of IL-6 mRNA in mouse skin after intradermal injection of IL-17F. Finally, IL-17F expression in skin biopsy specimens from psoriasis patients was examined by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that IL-17F induced production of IL-6 in NHEKs in a time-dependent manner. This could be attenuated by chimeric inhibitor blocking the IL-17 receptor. The amounts of IL-6 stimulated by IL-17F were much higher than those stimulated by TNF-α or IL-17A. IL-6 was also significantly upregulated via synergistic stimulation with IL-17A plus TNF-α. The expression of IL-6 mRNA 24 h after IL-17F injection in the mouse skin was 3.2-fold higher than that in the control group. Immunohistochemistry of inflammatory cells in the dermis demonstrated a large number of CD4⁺ T cells showing IL-17F positivity in psoriatic skin lesions, but few or none in non-lesional psoriatic skin. Our results indicate that IL-17F produced by CD4⁺ T cells causes the inflammation in psoriasis partly through induction of IL-6 in keratinocytes.