The Immunological Impact of IL-1 Family Cytokines on the Epidermal Barrier

The document reviews the role of the IL-1 family of cytokines in maintaining the skin's immunological barrier, responding to environmental threats, and facilitating wound healing. The IL-1 family, divided into IL-1, IL-18, and IL-36 subfamilies, are expressed in the skin and play a significant role in detecting environmental threats. They are released upon epidermal damage or infection and help orchestrate an immune response, influencing both the innate and adaptive response. They also significantly influence adaptive immunity, both directly and indirectly. However, dysregulation of IL-1 family cytokines can lead to pathological inflammation and contribute to diseases like psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and AD. The document also discusses the role of IL-1β in the maintenance of chronic, non-healing wounds in diabetic patients, suggesting the inflammasome as a potential therapeutic target.