Cyto/chemokine profile of in vitro scratched keratinocyte model: Implications of significant upregulation of CCL20, CXCL8 and IL36G in Koebner phenomenon

Abstract

Background: Scratch injury induces Koebner phenomenon in psoriasis. Smoking is also a risk factor for psoriasis. Keratinocytes can produce various psoriasis-related molecules including TNF,

The CCL20 and CCR6 axis in psoriasis

“…In addition, cellular dissociation by trypsinization or mechanical scratching is a potent stimulator for the rapid production of CCL20 in keratinocytes (Figure ). Notably, scratch‐induced CCL20 expression is dependent on the scratch‐line number . Therefore, CCL20 is likely to act as an alarm mediator for epidermal injury.…”

“…CCL20 is constitutively expressed in cultured keratinocytes, and its production is upregulated by TNF‐α and IL‐17A and less potently by IL‐22 . Accordingly, the cutaneous injection of TNF‐α, IL‐17A or IL‐22 enhances the production of CCL20 and upregulates CCR6 expression in the injected sites, probably through the accumulation of CCR6 + Th17 cells .…”

“…CCL20 is upregulated by cytokines, including IL‐17A and TNF‐α, in keratinocytes . In addition, cellular dissociation by trypsinization or mechanical scratching is a potent stimulator for the rapid production of CCL20 in keratinocytes (Figure ). Notably, scratch‐induced CCL20 expression is dependent on the scratch‐line number .…”

“…Therefore, CCL20 is likely to act as an alarm mediator for epidermal injury. In this sense, the behaviour of CXCL8 (IL‐8) is quite similar to that of CCL20 because the production of CXCL8 is rapidly augmented by IL‐17A and TNF‐α, trypsinization and mechanical scratching . CXCL8 is a neutrophilattractant chemokine, and its mRNA expression has been reported to be elevated in psoriatic lesional skin .…”

“…One of the characteristic clinical features of psoriasis is that psoriatic eruptions are triggered by mechanical injury or scratch, which is called the Koebner phenomenon . The scratch‐induced upregulation of CXCL8 and CCL20 may be involved in the development of the Koebner phenomenon . CXCL8 mainly attracts neutrophils to the injured site, and CCL20 induces the recruitment of CCR6+ Th17 cells that produce IL‐17A and IL‐22.…”