Immunopathogenesis of psoriasis: focus on natural killer T cells.

Immunopathogenesis of psoriasis: focus on natural killer T cells.
Peternel S, Kastelan M.

Department of Dermatovenereology, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka,
University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia. peter...@medri.hr

Abstract
Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease triggered by
dysregulated immune response and characterized by hyperproliferation
and altered differentiation of keratinocytes. Formation of psoriatic
lesions is thought to be elicited by the complex cellular and cytokine
network arising from the pathogenic interactions between keratinocytes
and components of innate and acquired immune system. Natural killer T
(NKT) cells are a heterogenous T-cell lineage that has been implicated
in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases including
psoriasis. Due to the numerous functions of NKT cells that link innate
and adaptive immunity, their role in psoriasis is complex and still
elusive. We summarize the currently available literature data on this
issue and discuss the possible role of NKT cells in the
immunopathogenesis of this autoimmune disease.