Interleukin-12 family cytokines in the pathogenesis of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease mediated by T cells, and interleukin-12 (IL-12) family cytokines play a critical role in the differentiation and function of T cells. The IL-12 family includes IL-12, IL-23 and the newly discovered cytokines IL-27 and IL-35. Several researches have revealed that the IL-12 family not only promotes but also inhibits inflammatory responses, regulates functions of multiple effector cells, and participates in the modulation of some signaling pathways. Therefore, the IL-12 family plays an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Key words: Psoriasis; Interleukin-12; Interleukin-23; Interleukin-27; Interleukin-35