Abstract
The pathogenesis of various inflammatory cutaneous diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and mycosis fungoides relies greatly on the abnormal function of T cells. Fundamental knowledge of the role of T cells in the cutaneous immune response has led to the development and production of biologic molecules designed to block T cell function at various steps, specifically activation (i.e. alefacept, efalizumab), trafficking into inflamed skin (i.e. efalizumab) and effector function under cytokine control (i.e. etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, and anti-IL-12 antibody). We review the immune abnormalities and the role of T cells in psoriasis, and the recent biologic therapies, which share the common mission to hinder T cell activity in inflammatory diseases. An advantage from the preciseness of these biologic therapies is the potential limit of non-specific and potentially devastating organ toxicity, which commonly plagues other systemic therapies.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 129-138 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Clinical Immunology |
Volume | 123 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2007 |
Keywords
- Biologics
- Inflammation
- Psoriasis
- Skin disease
- T cell
- TNF-alpha
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology