August marks National Psoriasis Month, an important opportunity to raise awareness of this long-term immune-mediated skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Psoriasis is not only a visible skin disease but also a condition rooted in immune system activity, often linked with other health challenges. At the British Society for Immunology, we’re committed to shining a light on the research that is helping us better understand the immune drivers of psoriasis and how this knowledge can translate into better treatments and support for patients. Through our journal portfolio, particularly Clinical & Experimental Immunology we showcase innovative studies from around the globe, highlighting progress that brings real hope for improving lives.
Clinical & Experimental Immunology
Immune cell activity during anti-TNF treatment in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
By Aleksandra Petrovic, Victoria Marie Samuelsen, Richard Davies, Anders K Aarebrot, Timothy Holmes, Irene Sarkar, Brith Bergum, Roland Jonsson, Lene F Sandvik, Silje M Solberg and Silke Appel
One recent study published in Clinical & Experimental Immunology explored how long-term treatment with the anti-TNF therapy infliximab affects immune cells in people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Researchers compared blood samples from patients on infliximab with those from healthy volunteers, looking closely at different immune cell types and their activity. They found that even when patients’ symptoms were clinically stable, signs of immune system activation and inflammation persisted. Changes were seen in natural killer cells, monocytes and B cells, which were linked to disease severity. These findings suggest that while anti-TNF therapy improves symptoms, underlying immune activity remains – highlighting the need for continued research into how psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are driven by the immune system.
By Meng-Jie Zhang, Ting-Ting Xue, Xiao-Ya Fei, Ying Zhang, Ying Luo, Yi Ru, Jing-Si Jiang, Jian-Kun Song, Le Kuai, Yue Luo, Rui-Ping Wang and Bin Li
Another study in Clinical & Experimental Immunology focused on the role of angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) in psoriasis. Using transcriptome sequencing data and advanced computational approaches, including a random forest algorithm, researchers identified 29 genes linked to angiogenesis that were altered in people with psoriasis. From these, three key biomarkers (CXCL8, ANGPTL4 and EMCN) were highlighted as especially important. The study also revealed two distinct molecular subtypes of psoriasis based on angiogenesis-related genes, suggesting that the disease may not be the same at a molecular level for all patients. These insights could help improve diagnosis and pave the way for more personalised treatment strategies in the future.
By Dina Rahkola, Rauno J Harvima and Ilkka T Harvima
Psoriasis is known for the Köbner reaction, when new skin lesions appear after even mild trauma to the skin. To better understand what happens at the earliest stages of this reaction, researchers studied immune activity in skin biopsies from people with psoriasis after inducing a controlled Köbner response. They found a rapid and sustained increase in complement proteins (C3c and iC3b) in the skin, along with higher numbers of immune cells carrying CD11b and CD14, markers linked to inflammation. These findings suggest that the complement system and specific immune cells play an important role in driving the development of new psoriatic lesions, highlighting potential targets for future therapeutic strategies.
Targeting T-cell integrins in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
By Aidan J Kelly and Aideen Long
T cells play a central role in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis, by travelling to sites of inflammation and remaining there to drive immune responses. A key part of this process involves integrins, cell-adhesion molecules that guide T-cell movement, tissue entry, and retention. Over the past three decades, research has revealed how integrin signalling shapes T-cell behaviour, leading to the development of therapies that specifically target these molecules. This review outlines the biology of T-cell integrins and examines current and emerging treatments that block their activity. By looking at evidence from clinical trials and real-world data, particularly in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis, the authors highlight both the promise and challenges of integrin-targeting drugs as a therapeutic strategy.
By Huimei Wu, Jiaxin Ou, Kangxin Li, Tingting Wang and Kutty Selva Nandakumar
Animal models are essential for uncovering the complex immune processes behind psoriasis and for testing new therapies. Researchers compared two commonly used experimental models: imiquimod-induced psoriasis and a newer mannan-induced model. They found that mannan triggered more severe and relapsing psoriasis-like disease, with distinct immune cell responses and patterns of inflammatory cytokine expression compared to imiquimod. Interestingly, treatment with dexamethasone was more effective at reducing skin inflammation in the mannan model. The findings suggest that mannan-induced psoriasis offers a simpler, more economical, and potentially more accurate model for studying chronic aspects of the disease, helping to advance research into future treatments.
By Yawen Lin, Xiaofeng Zhu, Yiwen Li, Yue Dou, Jing Wang, Ruiqun Qi and Lei Ma
Th17 cells and their key cytokine, IL-17A, are central drivers of psoriasis. Researchers using a mouse model of psoriatic skin inflammation investigated how different immune signalling pathways interact to fuel this process. They focused on the Notch1/Hes1–PTEN/AKT–IL-17A feedback loop, a network of signals that promotes Th17 cell activity. By blocking this pathway with the AKT inhibitor LY294002, they were able to significantly reduce psoriasis-like skin inflammation, producing effects similar to treatment with an IL-17A antibody. These results reveal how targeting interconnected signalling pathways could help control excessive immune activity in psoriasis and point to LY294002, or drugs like it as potential candidates for new therapies.
Immunotherapy Advances
By Kathleen Richter, Halimu N Haliduola, Jana Schockaert, Aurélie Mazy, Nataliya Reznichenko, Eric Guenzi and Fausto Berti
Biologic medicines like adalimumab (Humira®) have transformed the treatment of psoriasis, but one concern is immunogenicity, when the immune system reacts against the therapy, potentially reducing its effectiveness. A recent study used an advanced method called ex vivo comparative immunogenicity assessment (EVCIA) to examine immune responses in people with chronic plaque psoriasis receiving Humira® or switching between Humira® and its biosimilar AVT02. By tracking T-cell activity and cytokine release in patient blood samples, researchers found no meaningful differences in immune responses between those who stayed on Humira® and those who switched. These results support the safety of switching and confirm the interchangeability of the biosimilar, while also demonstrating that EVCIA could become a valuable tool for predicting how biologic medicines interact with the immune system.
Prevalence of inverse psoriasis subtype with immune checkpoint inhibitors
By Abdulhadi Jfri, Bonnie Leung, Jordan T Said, Yevgeniy Semenov and Nicole R LeBoeuf
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are powerful cancer therapies, but they can sometimes trigger immune-related side effects, including skin conditions like psoriasis. A retrospective study of more than 8,600 patients treated with ICIs found that a small subset developed inverse psoriasis, a form of psoriasis that appears in skin folds such as the groin, under the breasts, or around the buttocks. Because it often looks like fungal infections, many patients were initially misdiagnosed and treated with antifungal medications, which delayed effective care. The findings highlight the importance of oncologists and dermatologists recognising inverse psoriasis as a potential side effect of ICI therapy to ensure timely diagnosis and better quality of life for patients.
Discovery Immunology
Friend or Foe – Tc17 cell generation and current evidence for their importance in human disease
By Anna Veronika Hipp , Bertram Bengsch and Anna-Maria Globig
Tc17 cells are a subset of CD8+ T cells that produce interleukin-17 (IL-17), a cytokine central to both antimicrobial defence and inflammatory responses. While IL-17 helps protect mucosal surfaces from infections, excessive Tc17 activity contributes to immune-mediated diseases, including psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. This review summarizes current knowledge on Tc17 cells, including their phenotypic and transcriptional profiles, mechanisms of generation in vitro and in vivo, and evidence linking them to human diseases such as infections, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Overall, Tc17 cells play a dual role, protective in infection but potentially pathogenic in chronic inflammatory conditions.
Psoriasis research is rapidly evolving, revealing new insights into its molecular pathways, immune mechanisms, and clinical impacts. Every study brings us closer to better treatments and improved patient outcomes. We warmly invite researchers to share their discoveries and breakthroughs by submitting their psoriasis-related work to our journals, Clinical & Experimental Immunology, Immunotherapy Advances and Discovery Immunology. Your contributions not only advance science but also help build a global community dedicated to understanding and tackling this complex disease. Join us in shaping the future of psoriasis research, your work could make a real difference.