VEGF-Trap decreases CD4+ T cells, Th17 cytokines improving psoriasis-like skin inflammation in KC-Tie2 mice

Angiopoietins/Tie2 signaling axis and its role in angiogenesis of psoriasis

Hyperplasia of microvessels in the superficial dermis is the main pathological feature of psoriasis, and is linked to the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Thus, anti-angiogenic therapy may be effective for psoriasis. Angiopoietins (Angs) are crucial angiogenic factors. Ang1 supports a static mature vascular phenotype, while Ang2 is associated with the formation of abnormal vascular structure, vascular leakage and inflammation. The Ang/Tie2 axis and its signal transduction play an important role in regulation of vascular stability, angiogenesis and inflammation. Targeting the Ang/Tie2 signal axis can normalize microvessels in psoriatic lesions. This paper reviews Ang/Tie2 signal axis and its role in angiogenesis of psoriasis, aiming to provide new ideas and strategies for anti-angiogenic therapy of psoriasis.

Recent advances in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis: genetic background, barrier function, and therapeutic targets

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis are common inflammatory skin diseases. Although clinical pictures of these two diseases are quite different, they share some common pathological backgrounds such as barrier dysfunction and enhanced IL-22 expression. To explain the clinical differences of the diseases, it has been proposed that Th2/Th22-polarized immune status together with an attenuated Th17 axis may cause insufficient induction of antimicrobial peptides and more severe barrier dysfunction in AD. While skin barrier dysfunction is commonly seen in AD and psoriasis, a Th2-dominant cytokine milieu down-regulates immunity against infections, which are commonly seen in lesional skin of AD. In the era of biologics, increase in the understanding or new discoveries of molecules involved in the development of various diseases will instantly lead to a new therapeutic strategy. In this review, we give an overview of recent advances in AD and psoriasis, especially on genetic background, barrier function, and therapeutic targets.