The Many Faces of Interleukin-17 in Inflammatory Skin Diseases

Interleukin (IL)-17 was identified as a significant target for treating inflammatory skin disorders, with notable success in psoriasis. Its role in other immune-mediated diseases was being investigated, particularly where IL-17 activation coincided with disease flares. IL-17 was thought to drive inflammasome activation and release various noninflammasome-related cytokines from human skin. It also had potential roles in cytotoxic responses and interactions with the microbiome. While treatment was expected to be effective in neutrophilic dermatoses, lymphocyte-mediated conditions presented a more complex scenario, though beneficial responses were still considered likely. The study of IL-17 in skin diseases revealed complex aspects of its immunological network.