The psoriasis-associated IL-17A induces and cooperates with IL-36 cytokines to control keratinocyte differentiation and function

Psoriasis is a T(H)17-driven inflammatory disease affecting a significant proportion of the world population. The molecular consequences of IL-17 signaling in the skin are only partially understood. Therefore, we evaluated the IL-17A effects on organotypic 3-dimensional skin models and observed that IL-17A interfered with keratinocyte differentiation. In agreement with this phenotype, IL-17A repressed the expression of many genes encoding structural proteins. Moreover, genes encoding anti-microbial peptides were induced, resulting in a strengthening of the chemical barrier. Finally, we observed enhanced expression of the three IL-36 cytokines IL-36α, β and γ. We found that IL-36γ was secreted from keratinocytes in an inactive form and that neutrophilic proteases, including elastase, were capable of activating this cytokine. Functionally and similar to IL-17A, truncated IL-36 cytokines interfered with keratinocyte differentiation in 3D models. The molecular analysis revealed strong cooperative effects of IL-17A and IL-36 cytokines in regulating target genes, which was dependent on the proteolytic activation of the latter. Together these findings suggest an amplification cycle that can be initiated by IL-17A, involving IL-36 cytokines and immune cell derived proteases and resulting in active IL-36 cytokines which synergize with IL-17A. This amplification cycle might be relevant for a persistent psoriatic phenotype.