Abstract:

As a cytoskeletal protein, keratin17 (K17) is over-expressed in psoriatic lesional epidermis, and is considered to be a hallmark of psoriasis.K17 is an autoantigen with certain epitopes similar to M6 protein of streptococci. These epitopes can stimulate the proliferation of autoreactive T cells and promote the release of psoriasis-related cytokines which stimulate keratinocyte to induce K17. Some studies indicate that K17/T cells/cytokine autoimmune loops may be present in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. K17 may be an attractive target of the novel therapies in psoriasis.

Key words: keratin 17')">

keratin 17, autoimmune loop, psoriasis