Background:T helper interplay and cytokines monitoring in auto-immune
skin disorders such as Pemphigus Foliaceus (PF) may play a central role in predicting
the clinical stratification of the pathology.Objectives:In order to assess the CD4+ T cell imbalance, (i) this study aims to assess
the related immune cells (Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells) as well as the related
cytokines (IL-1β, IFNγ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-
22, TNF-β, and TNFα) in peripheral blood, and [ii] their respective transcription factors
in the lesioned skin of PF endemic patients during the clinical course.Methods:Peripheral blood of 22 PF patients was analyzed by flow cytometry to
assess the functional associations of Th cell subpopulations and their characteristic
cytokines by multiplex bead assay of 14-plex cytokines. Skin mRNA expression of their
associated transcription factors was analyzed using the TaqMan detection system.Results:Our findings revealed that the CD4+ T cell subtypes in PF patients compared to
Healthy Controls (HC) were characterized by (i) a similar Th1/Th2 ratio and increased
Th17/Treg ratio and (ii) significantly higher plasma levels of Th-17 specific cytokines; IL-
6, IL-8, IL-17A. Higher percentages in Th17 and Treg subtypes and a significant increase
in plasma IL-17F levels were maintained in relapsing PF patients, arguing the pivotal role
of Th17 cells in PF pathogenesis. Furthermore, our findings pointed out the major
contribution of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Indeed, in addition to being involved in
the initial stages of disease development, IL-6 seems to also be involved in the
maintenance of the pathophysiological process, probably through its effect on Th17
differentiation. The skin-relative mRNA expression levels of FOXP3 and TBET were
significantly higher in relapsing PF patients compared to de novo PF patients.Conclusion:Our results highlight the central role played by Th17 lymphocytes and
their related pro-inflammatory cytokines during the clinical course of the disease,
reversing the Th1/Th2 dichotomy in PF.