Effect of acitretin on the T helper cells of psoriasis vulgaris
- Author:
Wei CAO
;
Xinwu NIU
;
Jie FENG
;
Jianyu HE
;
Chen HUANG
;
Huiqun MA
;
Jingyi YUAN
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
psoriasis vulgaris;
Th1/Th2 balance;
Th17;
Psoriasis Area and Severity Index
- From:
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis
2010;22(3):198-202
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effects of acitretin on T helper cell (Th) 1/Th2 balance and Th17 cells in psoriasis vulgaris (PV) patients. Methods A total of 13 men and 17 women with PV were investigated. 10 mg of acitretin was administered twice a day for 8 weeks for intervention therapy. Serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. T, Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells in skin biopsies were counted with double-labeled immunofluorescence. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score was calculated before and 8 weeks after treatment. Results Before treatment PV patients had higher serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-17, and increased T, Th1 and Th17 cells in skin biopsies. After treatment, both serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-17, and T, Th1 and Th17 cells infiltrating in PV skin decreased significantly. Th1/Th2 balance was restored to normal. However, their IL-4 and Th2 cells showed no significant change throughout the therapy. Conclusion Acitretin exerts influence on dermal Th1/Th2 balance and Th17 cell infiltration, so does it on production of systematic inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17 in PV patients. However, Th2 cells and its derivative cytokine-IL-4 are not affected.
