The frequencies of several pattern recognition receptors (CD11b, CD11c, CD32, CD206, CD209, and dectin-1) were analyzed in patients with BD by flow cytometry, and cytokine levels, interleukin- (IL-) 18, IL-23, and IL-17A, were compared in plasma.
The JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway is activated in BD, possibly through the activation of Th1/Th17-type cytokines such as IL-2, interferon (IFN-γ), IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23.
Interestingly, the association of IL17F and IL23A with BD was found only in male patients (IL17F: P=1.06×10(-6); OR, 2.3; IL23A, P=3.81×10(-8); OR, 2.8, respectively), but not in female patients.
These associations warrant further validation and investigation in patients with BD, as they may have implications for the development of novel therapies (e.g., immunosuppressive therapy targeted at IL-23p19).
Increased IL-23 p19 mRNA levels were observed for both EN-like lesions of patients with BD and skin lesions of patients with psoriasis compared with normal individuals.