Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are driven by alternate type 2 and type 17 immune responses, but some proteins might be critical to both diseases. We show that a deficiency of the TNF superfamily molecule TWEAK (TNFSF12) in mice results in defective maintenance of atopic dermatitis-specific Th2 and psoriasis-specific Th17 cells in the skin, and impaired expression of disease-characteristic chemokines and cytokines, such as CCL17 and TSLP in atopic dermatitis, and CCL20 and IL-19 in psoriasis. The TWEAK receptor, Fn14, is upregulated in keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts, and TWEAK induces these cytokines and chemokines alone and in synergy with the signature T helper cytokines of either disease, IL-13 and IL-17. Furthermore, subcutaneous injection of recombinant TWEAK into nave mice induces cutaneous inflammation with histological and molecular signs of both diseases. TWEAK is therefore a critical contributor to skin inflammation and a possible therapeutic target in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. SOURCE: Suzanne Szak BiogenIdec, Inc.

Pluto Bioinformatics

GSE96957: TWEAK mediates inflammation in experimental atopic dermatitis and psoriasis