International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 6 authors, 5 centres
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This study used a mouse model to investigate how obesity worsens psoriasis. It found that obese mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis had more severe symptoms, higher levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and increased numbers of Th17 immune cells compared to non-obese mice.
The study used an imiquimod-induced psoriasis model in C57BL/6 mice to compare obese (OID) and regular diet (RD) groups. Obese mice exhibited more severe clinical symptoms, such as greater erythema and scaling, and significantly thicker epidermis, with histological features like Munro's microabscess appearing earlier. After imiquimod treatment, serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher in the OID group. Analysis of spleens and lymph nodes showed a larger population of Th17 cells in imiquimod-treated OID mice, and these cells produced elevated levels of IL-17. The authors suggest that obesity-associated adipose tissue may produce more IL-6 upon stimulation, leading to greater Th17 cell differentiation and more severe disease.
