Single-cell transcriptomics suggest distinct upstream drivers of IL-17A/F in hidradenitis versus psoriasis
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ABSTRACT: Background: Based on the mounting evidence that Type 17 T-cells (T17 cells) and increased IL-17 play a key role in driving hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) lesion development, biologics previously used in psoriasis that block signaling of IL-17A and/or IL-17F isoforms have been repurposed to treat HS. Objective: Our aim was to characterize the transcriptome of HS T17 cells compared to the transcriptome of psoriasis T17 cells, and their ligand-receptor interactions with neighborhood immune cell subsets. Methods: Single-cell data of 12,300 cutaneous immune cells from 8 de-roofing surgical HS skin samples that included dermal tunnels were compared with single-cell data of psoriasis skin (19,525 cells from 11 samples) and control skin (11,920 cells from 10 samples). All the single-cell data were generated by the identical protocol. Results: HS T17 cells expressed lower levels of IL23R and higher levels of IL1R1 and IL17F compared to psoriasis T17 cells (p < 0.05). HS regulatory T-cells (Tregs) expressed higher levels of IL1R1 and IL17F compared to psoriasis Tregs (p < 0.05). Semimature dendritic cells (DCs) were the major immune cell subsets expressing IL1B in HS, and IL-1B ligand-receptor interactions between semimature DCs and T17 cells were increased in HS compared to psoriasis (p < 0.05). HS dermal tunnel keratinocytes (KCs) expressed inflammatory cytokines (IL17C, IL1A, IL1B, and IL6) different from HS epidermis KCs (IL36G) (p < 0.05). IL6, which synergizes with IL1B to maintain cytokine expression in T17 cells, was mainly expressed by fibroblasts in HS, which also expressed IL11+ inflammatory fibroblast genes (IL11, IL24, IL6, and POSTN) involved in paracrine IL-1/IL-6 loop. Conclusion: The IL-1B-T17 cell cytokine axis is likely a dominant pathway in HS with HS T17 cells activated by IL-1B signaling, unlike psoriasis T17 cells which are activated by IL-23 signaling. Clinical Implication: Biologics targeting IL-17 isoforms and IL-1B may be effective for HS but biologics targeting IL-23 may be less effective for HS.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE220116 | GEO | 2023/06/02
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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