IL-17A upregulates keratin 17 expression in keratinocytes through STAT1- and STAT3-dependent mechanisms

J Invest Dermatol. 2011 Dec;131(12):2401-8. doi: 10.1038/jid.2011.222. Epub 2011 Jul 28.

Abstract

Psoriasis, an immunological skin disease, is characterized by epidermal hyperproliferation, chronic inflammation, and an accumulation of infiltrating T cells. IL-17A is a key cytokine that has a critical role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Keratin 17 (K17) is strongly expressed in psoriatic lesions but not in normal skin. Thus, K17 expression is regarded as a hallmark of psoriasis. We previously reported that the K17/T cells/cytokine autoimmune loop was involved in psoriasis. However, the relationship between IL-17A and K17 has yet to be determined. In the present study, IL-17A-induced K17 expression was confirmed in cultured keratinocytes in both mRNA and protein levels. In addition, increased K17 expression was found in the epidermis of IL-17A-injected mouse skin. The regulatory mechanism of K17 expression was further investigated. We found that both the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 and STAT3 pathways were involved in the upregulation of K17 expression induced by IL-17A, and that such regulation could be partially suppressed by STAT1 or STAT3 small interfering RNA and inhibitor. Our data suggest that IL-17A can upregulate K17 expression in keratinocytes in a dose-dependent manner through STAT1- and STAT3-dependent mechanisms. The results indicate that IL-17A might be an important cytokine in the K17/T cells/cytokine autoimmune loop associated with psoriasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism*
  • Keratin-17 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Keratin-17 / biosynthesis*
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology
  • Vidarabine / analogs & derivatives
  • Vidarabine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • IL17A protein, human
  • Interleukin-17
  • Keratin-17
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • STAT1 protein, human
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Stilbenes
  • 3,3',4,5'-tetrahydroxystilbene
  • Vidarabine
  • fludarabine