Summary
To investigate the role of IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, PT-PCR was used to semi-quantitatively analyze the mRNA expression of IL-18, AcPL (accessory protein-like) and IL-18BP in 12 psoriatic lesions and in 6 normal skin tissues. The results showed that IL-18 and AcPL mRNA were present in all specimens from 6 normal skin and 12 pieces of psoriatic skin, and IL-18 and AcPL showed relatively stronger intensity in the psoriatic skin compared with those seen in normal skin (P<0.01). Amplified bands indicating the expression of IL-18BP mRNA were weakly positive in all samples of normal skin. In contrast, the PCR products for IL-18BP were distinctly visible in all specimens of psoriatic lesions (P<0.01). These findings demonstrate that IL-18 is constitutively synthesized by human keratinocytes and involved in the development of the Th1 response in psoriatic lesions, and its bioactivity appears to be closely regulated by cutaneous inflammation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Okamura H, Tsutsi H, Komatsu Tet al. Cloning of a new cytokine that induces IFN-gamma production by T cells. Nature, 1995,378(6552):88
Ushio S, Namba M, Okura Tet al. Cloning of the cDNA for human IFN-gamma inducing factor expression in Eschericha coli and studies on the biologic activities of the protein. J Immunol, 1996,156:4274
Koho K, Kataoka J, Ohtsuki Tet al. IFN-γ inducing factor (IGIF) is a costimulatory factor on the activation of Th1 but not Th2 cells and exerts its effect independently of IL-12. J Immunol, 1997,158:1541
Dinarelli C A. IL-18 A Th1-inducing proinflammatory cytokine and new member of the IL-1 family. J Allergy clin Immunol, 1999,103:11
Koizumi H, Sato-Matsumura K C, Nakamura Het al. Distribution of IL-18 receptor in human skin: various form of IL-18 are produced in keratinocytes. Arch Dermatol Res, 2001,293:325
Mee J B, Alam Y, Groves R W. Human keratinocytes constitutively produce but do not process interleukin-18. Br J Dermatol, 2000,143:330
Ohta Y, Hamada Y, Katsuoka K. Expression of IL-18 in psoriasis. Arch Dermatol Res, 2001,293:334
Neumann D, Martin M U. Interleukin-12 upregulates the il-18rbeta chain in balb/c thymocytes. Interferon cytokine Res, 2001,21(8):635
Novick D, Kim S H, Fantuzzi Get al. Interleukin-18 binding protein: a novel modulator of Th1 cytokine response. Immunity, 1999,10:127
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
HUANG Changzheng, male, born in 1964, Doctor in Charge
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Changzheng, H., Zhiqiong, W. & Jiawen, L. Study on the expression of IL-18, AcPL and IL-18BP mRNA in the psoriatic lesions. Current Medical Science 23, 88–90 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02829474
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02829474