Dermatology

Psoriasis is a cutaneous autoimmune disease that affects as many as 125 million people worldwide. Current therapeutics for psoriasis include systemic acting immuno-suppressive drugs for which the long-term effects remain a concern. Psoriasis is a cell-mediated disease dependent on T helper (Th) 17 effector cells that are biased by cutaneous DCs. Importantly, the stimuli that induce DCs and keratinocytes to secrete Th polarizing cytokines, particularly in psoriasis, are complex and not completely understood.