Interleukin-23/T helper 17 cell/interleukin-17 pathway and skin diseases

Interleukin-23(IL-23),as a member of IL-12 family,is a heterodimer composed of IL-23p19 and IL-12p40.IL-23 can increase the amount of differentiated T helper 17(Th17)cells,maintain the level of IL-17 secreted by Th17 cells and sustain the survival of Th17 cells.The IL-23-dependent signal pathway plays an important role in the pathogenic activity of Th17 cells.Currently,it has been found that the dysfunction of IL-23/Th17 cell/IL-17 pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of many skin diseases.Therapies targeting this pathway may offer new prospects for the treatment of related skin diseases. Key words: Interleukin-23; Th17 cells; Interleukin-17; Skin neoplasms