The Association of Psoriasis and Obesity: Focusing on IL-17A-Related Immunological Mechanisms

Psoriasis is a chronic,recurrent,inflammatory skin disease that is often accompanied by obesity.An increasing amount of research has elucidated the pathophysiological link between psoriasis and obesity.Since 2005,interleukin(IL)-17-producing T helper 17 cells and their main effector cytokine IL-17A have been considered to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis;the marked effect of biotherapies targeting IL-17A on moderate and severe psoriasis has further established its role in psoriasis.Recent studies have found that obesity induces T helper 17 cells to secrete IL-17A and participate in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.IL-17A may be a crucial element in the association between psoriasis and obesity.This review discusses the association between psoriasis and obesity,with a focus on and the implications regarding the need to treat psoriasis.