An increased proportion of circulating Th22 and Tc22 cells in psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common dermatosis mediated by T cells. This study investigated the correlation of Th22 cells and Tc22 cells with psoriasis. A total of 30 psoriasis patients and 11 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited for this study. The proportions of circulating Th22 and Tc22 cells, expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and IL-22 levels in the psoriasis patients were significantly higher than those in the control subjects (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the proportion of circulating Th22 cells, IL-22 levels, and PASI score. The IL-22 levels and PASI score were also positively correlated. There was no correlation between the proportion of circulating Tc22 cells and IL-22 level or PASI score. These data are consistent with Th22 cells involvement in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.