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Research Article Free access | 10.1172/JCI1476

IL-10 is a key cytokine in psoriasis. Proof of principle by IL-10 therapy: a new therapeutic approach.

K Asadullah, W Sterry, K Stephanek, D Jasulaitis, M Leupold, H Audring, H D Volk, and W D Döcke

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Charité, Berlin Humboldt University, D-10098 Berlin, Germany. asadullah@rz.charite.hu-berlin.de

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Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Charité, Berlin Humboldt University, D-10098 Berlin, Germany. asadullah@rz.charite.hu-berlin.de

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Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Charité, Berlin Humboldt University, D-10098 Berlin, Germany. asadullah@rz.charite.hu-berlin.de

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Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Charité, Berlin Humboldt University, D-10098 Berlin, Germany. asadullah@rz.charite.hu-berlin.de

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Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Charité, Berlin Humboldt University, D-10098 Berlin, Germany. asadullah@rz.charite.hu-berlin.de

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Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Charité, Berlin Humboldt University, D-10098 Berlin, Germany. asadullah@rz.charite.hu-berlin.de

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Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Charité, Berlin Humboldt University, D-10098 Berlin, Germany. asadullah@rz.charite.hu-berlin.de

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Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Charité, Berlin Humboldt University, D-10098 Berlin, Germany. asadullah@rz.charite.hu-berlin.de

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Published February 15, 1998 - More info

Published in Volume 101, Issue 4 on February 15, 1998
J Clin Invest. 1998;101(4):783–794. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI1476.
© 1998 The American Society for Clinical Investigation
Published February 15, 1998 - Version history
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Abstract

Overexpression of proinflammatory, type 1 cytokines has been demonstrated in psoriasis and is believed to be of pathophysiological importance. IL-10 is a type 2 cytokine with major impact on immunoregulation, since it inhibits type 1/proinflammatory cytokine formation. Therefore, we investigated its role in psoriasis. We found a relative deficiency in cutaneous IL-10 mRNA expression compared with other inflammatory dermatoses. Interestingly, patients during established antipsoriatic therapy showed higher IL-10 mRNA expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells than patients before therapy. This suggested that IL-10 may have antipsoriatic capacity. Therefore, we performed a phase 2 pilot trial with subcutaneous IL-10 administration (8 microg/kg/d) over 24 d in three patients. Clinical efficiency measured by objective and subjective parameters was found. Immunosuppressive effects (depressed monocytic HLA-DR expression, TNF-alpha and IL-12 secretion capacity, IL-12 plasma levels, and responsiveness to recall antigens) as well as a shift toward a type 2 cytokine pattern (increasing proportion of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 producing T cells, selective increase in IgE serum levels) were observed. Remarkably, IL-10 administration also enhanced the intracutaneous IL-10 mRNA expression. Our investigations demonstrate the major importance of IL-10 in psoriasis and show that IL-10 administration represents a new therapeutic approach. This is the first report on IL-10 therapy for cutaneous disorders.

Version history
  • Version 1 (February 15, 1998): No description
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