Interleukin 22 and 6 serum concentrations decrease under long-term biologic therapy in psoriasis

Abstract

Introduction

Psoriasis, affecting approximately 2% of the worldwide population, is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease in which overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines is observed. Most of the available data on the influence of antipsoriatic therapy on the cytokine serum concentration are inconsistent and based on short-term observations.

Aim

To evaluate the influence of long-term biologic therapy with tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) blockers (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab) and IL-12/23 inhibitor (ustekinumab) on the level of IL-6, IL-22 in the sera of patients with psoriasis.

Material and methods

Blood samples were collected from 42 psoriatic patients in order to determine IL-6 and IL-22 serum concentrations prior to and at the 3^rd, 12^th, 24^th and 36^th month of biologic therapy. Psoriasis Activity and Severity Index (PASI) was assessed at the same time points. The control group consisted of 30 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers.

Results

Mean PASI index at baseline was 14.49 ±3.69 and decreased significantly until the end of the observation. Mean IL-6 serum concentration decreased significantly in all study groups (p < 0.05). A statistically significant decrease in IL-22 concentrations was demonstrated during the treatment with adalimumab and infliximab but not etanercept or ustekinumab.

Conclusions

According to obtained results, IL-6 and IL-22 serum concentration may be an accurate marker of response to antipsoriatic therapy, even though not correlated with PASI index. Biologic therapy in psoriasis allows for long-term clinical improvement expressed not only by the remission of skin lesions, but also by lowering serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory interleukins.

Introduction

Psoriasis, affecting approximately 2% of the worldwide population, is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by the presence of hyperkeratotic papules confluent in the plaques located in typical body areas [1]. Pathogenesis of this dermatosis is still not fully elucidated. Initially, it was thought to be a disease mediated by Th1 lymphocytes [2, 3]. However, numerous studies on its pathogenesis in recent years have provided evidence for the key contribution of Th17 lymphocytes and proinflammatory cytokines secreted by them [4, 5]. Better understanding of psoriasis pathogenesis has resulted in the search for new effective therapies directed against selected components of the inflammatory cascade leading to the development of typical skin lesions. Genetically engineered monoclonal antibodies act selectively to achieve high clinical efficacy with a relatively low risk of side effects. Subsequent clinical trials have led to the widespread use of biological drugs that have revolutionized the treatment approach in psoriasis. These molecules directed against key cytokines in the development of psoriasis include e.g. tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) blockers (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab) and p40 (subunit IL-12/23) inhibitor (ustekinumab). Recently more reports have been available on the safety and efficacy of the formulations in long-term use. However only few reports provide data from the daily clinical practice observations.

Markers of effectiveness and prognosis in the treatment of psoriasis are still being sought. Expression of a number of proinflammatory cytokines, as proven, is elevated in both the skin and serum of psoriatic patients [6, 7]. Numerous studies also indicate a change in their concentrations under the influence of effective therapy of this dermatosis [8–11]. However, their results are often inconsistent and based on short-term observations.

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of long-term biologic therapy with TNF-α blockers (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab) and interleukin IL-12/23 inhibitor (ustekinumab) on the level of IL-6, IL-22 in sera of patients with psoriasis.

Material and methods

The study group consisted of 42 (25 male and 17 female, mean age: 52 ±11 years) patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis treated with biologic therapy in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology of Medical University of Lodz for 36 months. The control group consisted of 30 healthy people matched in terms of sex and age. Characteristics of the study group are presented in Table 1.

Table 1.

Characteristics of the study group and the control group

Parameter	Adalimumab	Etanercept	Infliximab	Ustekinumab	Control group
N	19 (7 F, 12 M)	11 (5 F, 7 M)	7 (5 F, 2 M)	5 (3 F, 2 M)	30 (11 F, 19 M)
Age [years] (mean ± SEM)	48.6 ±13.4	50.6 ±11.5	49.9 ±12.5	47 ±15.3	45.4 ±10.1
Psoriasis duration [years] (mean ± SEM)	18.8 ±10.2	18.0 ±13.2	23.3 ±13.4	22.4 ±14.8	–
Hypertension (%)	10 (52.6)	5 (45.5)	4 (57.1)	2 (40)	8 (26.6)
Cardiovascular disease (%)	3 (15.8)	1 (9.1)	1 (14.3)	1 (20)	2 (6.7)
History of myocardial infarction (%)	1 (5.2)	0	0	1 (20)	0
Diabetes mellitus (%)	1 (5.2)	1 (9.1)	0	2 (40)	1 (3.3)
Glaucoma (%)	1 (5.2)	1 (9.1)	0	0	0
Cigarette smoking (%)	7 (36.8)	5 (45.5)	2 (28.6)	2 (40)	3 (10)

Blood samples were collected from the patients in order to determine IL-6 and IL-22 levels prior to and at the 3^rd, 12^th, 24^th and 36^th month of biologic therapy. Subsequently they were stored at room temperature for a clot to form. After centrifugation at about 500 rpm for 15 min to separate serum, aliquots of the samples were stored frozen at –20°C until the measurement of cytokines concentration was performed.

The level of IL-6 and IL-22 serum was measured by enzyme-linked immunospecific assay ELISA (Quantikine^®, R & D Systems, Inc., Minneapolis, USA).

Efficacy of the therapy was assessed by the use of Psoriasis Activity and Severity Index (PASI) at the beginning and in the 3^rd, 12^th, 24^th and 36^th month of the therapy.

The experimental plan was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki principles. Research has been approved by the bioethics committee of the Medical University of Lodz, Poland. All of the participants signed informed consent to take part in the study before any study procedure.

Statistical analysis

All analyses were performed using Statistica 13 software (StatSoft Inc., Tulsa, OK, USA). Intergroup differences for each variable were analyzed using both the Friedman test (nonparametric ANOVA) and repeated measures ANOVA followed by Mauchly’s sphericity test and, if necessary, Greenhouse-Geisser/Huynh-Feldt correction and multivariate tests (Wilks lambda). Differences between groups were compared using an unpaired Welch’s t-test if the data showed a normal distribution; otherwise the Mann-Whitney U test was used. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM, and a p-value of 0.05 or less was considered as statistically significant. Multivariate regression was applied to check the possible relationship between PASI and interleukin concentration at all time points.

Results

The PASI in the entire study group before treatment was 14.49 ±3.69. After a 3-month follow-up period, patients receiving biologic therapy showed a significant reduction in the severity of skin lesions expressed in the PASI index in all treatment groups (Table 2). The clinical effect lasted until the 36^th month of therapy with all studied agents.

Table 2.

Changes in PASI index during study treatment

Study group	Baseline	3rd month	12th month	24th month	36th month	Repeated measures
Adalimumab	15.12 ±0.94	3.13 ±0.63	2.38 ±0.48	2.72 ±0.27	2.98 ±0.41	< 0.0001*
Etanercept	13.90 ±3.41	3.81 ±3.44	3.28 ±2.03	1.96 ±1.38	2.52 ±0.60	0.0001*
Infliximab	13.514 ±4.03	5.10 ±5.37	3.90 ±3.16	2.51 ±2.95	2.84 ±2.30	0.0022*
Ustekinumab	14.76 ±2.50	2.72 ±3.56	1.82 ±0.98	2.62 ±2.07	2.30 ±1.44	0.0261*

Data shown as means ± SEM. ^*Statistically significant findings.

The non-parametric Friedman test showed differences between the recurring IL-22 mean values and the value of χ² of 22.89, which was statistically significant (p = 0.0001) in patients receiving adalimumab. A statistically significant decrease in IL-22 concentrations was also demonstrated during the treatment with infliximab but not etanercept (p = 0.3642) or ustekinumab (p = 0.3362) (Table 3, Figure 1).

Table 3.

IL-22 (pg/ml) serum levels in the control group and in the psoriasis group at baseline and at the 3^rd, 12^th, 24^th, 36^th month of biologic therapy

Study group	Baseline	3rd month	12th month	24th month	36th month	Control vs. baseline	Repeated measures
Control	11.40 ±1.27
Adalimumab	47.69 ±12.68	36.90 ±7.35	30.54 ±4.12	27.81 ±3.71	28.5 ±4.12	0.0102*	0.0001*
Etanercept	23.01 ±16.05	23.65 ±18.15	20.63 ±15.49	19.78 ±12.64	17.22 ±13.00	0.0375*	0.3642
Infliximab	69.34 ±61.34	37.15 ±25.15	24.01 ±16.90	20.62 ±11.19	20.73 ±10.35	0.0595	0.0055*
Ustekinumab	20.18 ±16.07	21.96 ±14.67	24.08 ±22.42	12.00 ±11.27	11.78 ±12.86	0.2846	0.3362

Data shown as means ± SEM. ^*Statistically significant findings.

Figure 1.

Changes in the IL-22 serum level during biological treatment (A – adalimumab, B – etanercept, C – ustekinumab, D – infliximab). Data shown as means ± SEM, ^*p < 0.05, ^**p < 0.01, ^***p < 0.001

Statistical analysis of mean IL-6 serum concentrations revealed a significant decrease in all study groups (p < 0.05) (Table 4, Figure 2). Results of post-hoc (Tukey or Dunn’s) test for each study group are presented in Table 5.

Table 4.

IL-6 (pg/ml) serum levels in the CONTROL group and in the psoriasis group at baseline and at the 3^rd, 12^th, 24^th, 36^th month of biologic therapy

Study group	Baseline	3rd month	12th month	24th month	36th month	Control vs. baseline	Repeated measures
Control	6.53 ±2.13
Adalimumab	5.58 ±1.34	3.21 ±0.49	2.65 ±0.53	2.65 ±0.45	2.88 ±0.52	0.6473	0.0003*
Etanercept	10.12 ±9.76	2.47 ±2.24	4.00 ±3.99	3.00 ±2.34	3.22 ±2.73	0.3455	0.0093*
Infliximab	20.34 ±30.59	11.20 ±15.69	21.26 ±38.68	16.10 ±29.79	7.32 ±9.77	0.3195	0.0157*
Ustekinumab	6.26 ±2.87	12.27 ±15.36	4.41 ±2.24	5.31 ±4.42	4.74 ±2.79	0.8587	0.0043*

Data shown as means ± SEM. ^*Statistically significant findings.

Figure 2.

Changes in the IL-6 serum level during biological treatment (A – adalimumab, B – etanercept, C – ustekinumab, D – infliximab). Data shown as means ± SEM, ^*p < 0.05, ^**p < 0.01, ^***p < 0.001

Table 5.

Results of post-hoc (Tukey or Dunn’s) test for each study group: IL-6 and IL-22. Only statistically significant results presented

Study group		Multiple comparisons	P-value
IL-6 [pg/ml]:
	Adalimumab	0 vs. 12	0.0006
		0 vs. 24	0.0208
		0 vs. 36	0.0018
	Etanercept	0 vs. 3	0.0046
	Infliximab	0 vs. 36	0.0132
	Ustekinumab	3 vs. 12	0.0137
IL-22 [pg/ml]:
	Adalimumab	0 vs. 12	0.0247
		0 vs. 24	0.0004
		0 vs. 36	0.0040
	Infliximab	0 vs. 36	0.0235

To check whether IL-6/IL-22 serum concentration influences PASI score we used the multivariate regression model. In all estimations, p-value was above the level of statistical significance (Table 6).

Table 6.

Results of multivariate regression between PASI, IL-6 and IL-22 serum concentration

Study group	Statistics	Baseline	3rd month	12th month	24th month	36th month
Adalimumab	R	0.2003	0.5500	0.2670	0.2116	0.2779
	P-value	0.7207	0.0560	0.5535	0.6932	0.5256
Etanercept	R	0.5374	0.4345	0.6862	0.3090	0.6022
	P-value	0.2559	0.4331	0.0784	0.6694	0.1650
Ustekinumab	R	0.4788	0.4351	0.9335	0.5851	0.3988
	P-value	0.7707	0.8107	0.1287	0.6577	0.8410
Infliximab	R	0.2004	0.6353	0.9568	0.2406	0.2629
	P-value	0.9213	0.3556	0.0071	0.8875	0.8665

P-value of 0.05 or less was considered as statistically significant, R – correlation coefficient.

Discussion

Psoriasis pathogenesis is still not fully elucidated. Recent studies provide evidence for the involvement of the immune system in the development of psoriasis [12, 13]. Better understanding of psoriasis enabled the invention of the therapies selectively inhibiting action of the molecules involved in the development of psoriasis [14–16]. The effectiveness of biologic therapy has been demonstrated so far not only on the basis of clinical improvement in skin lesions, but also on the molecular level – resulting in a decrease in markers of inflammation in both the skin and sera of the treated patients.

IL-22, produced by skin c-Kit+FcεRI+ mast cells, Th17, Th22 and Tc22 cells (CD8+ T cells) is the main cytokine involved in excessive keratinocyte proliferation observed in psoriasis [17, 18].

Infiltration of effector cells T in psoriatic plaques result in massive production of IL-22 which binds to its receptor highly expressed on keratinocytes [19, 20]. It results in Janus kinase activation, which is a signal transducer and activator of transcription STAT3 and mitogenic activating peptide kinase pathways [21].

Numerous studies showed an increase in IL-22 concentration both within the skin lesions and sera of patients with psoriasis when compared to healthy subjects [6, 7]. We also observed that mean IL-22 serum concentration at baseline in the group treated with adalimumab and etanercept was significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05). These changes were not statistically significant between infliximab and ustekinumab group in comparison to healthy subjects, which is probably caused by a relatively smaller number of participants in these groups (p > 0.05). In the majority of previous studies, a positive correlation between the PASI index and the serum IL-22 concentration was found [7, 22], however, in some of them, as in our observations, no relationship between the severity of the disease and the serum level of this cytokine was observed [6, 8].

Numerous studies investigating the effect of psoriatic treatment on IL-22 in patients gave inconclusive results. The influence of short-term anti-TNF-α therapy on the IL-22 serum concentration was investigated by Luan et al. [7]. IL-22 was significantly higher than in healthy controls and a 12-week therapy with adalimumab resulted in its significant decrease.

A significant (p < 0.05) reduction in IL-22 serum concentration after a 12-week therapy with etanercept, but not with the acitretin was observed by Caproni et al. [8]. In the study conducted by Cordiali-Fei et al. [9], a 24-week therapy with anti-TNF-α agents (etanercept, adalimumab and infliximab) in 59 psoriatic patients resulted in a significant reduction in IL-22 serum concentration in all study groups, which is consistent with our results.

This can be explained by the fact that TNF-α blockade results in inhibition of IL-22 secretion by effector T lymphocytes and thus causes reduction in its concentration both in skin lesions and in patients sera. Lowering the concentration of IL-22 under the influence of biological drugs results from the mechanism of their action and is not only a simple reflection of their clinical effectiveness expressed by PASI reduction. Therefore, as shown in the study conducted by Caproni et al. [8], acitretin, due to the different mechanism of action (reduction of epidermal hyperkeratosis), does not affect the serum concentration of IL-22.

Balato et al. [23] demonstrated an increased mRNA expression for IL-22 in lesional skin of psoriatic patients when compared to non-lesional skin and skin biopsies of healthy volunteers. After a 16-week adalimumab therapy, the IL-22 mRNA expression in lesional skin decreased significantly. Moreover, IL-22 mRNA gene expression correlated with BSA (BSA R = 0.63 at week 0) but not with PASI (PASI R = 0.28 at week 0).

IL-6 is one of the most important proinflammatory cytokines produced by monocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, adipocytes and normal human keratinocytes under the influence of IL-17F [24–26]. It inhibits the proliferation of regulatory T lymphocytes, and activates Th17 cells, thus maintaining inflammation. IL-6 stimulates the inflow of T lymphocytes to the epidermis, moreover, it participates in the process of growth and differentiation of keratinocytes [27].

Numerous scientific studies have proven elevated levels of IL-6 in the skin and sera of patients with psoriasis [10, 11]. It is a marker of disease activity and its concentration is proportional to the severity of skin changes [23]. Literature data also suggest that it may be a good indicator of response to treatment, reflecting the efficacy of psoriasis therapy [10, 11, 23]. In addition, the increased propensity to the Koebner symptom has been shown to be associated with elevated IL-6, mast cells and IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) in the skin of the patients [28].

It has been described that effective systemic treatment (methotrexate or UVB phototherapy) results in a decrease in serum IL-6 [29, 30]. In our study group mean IL-6 serum concentrations did not differ significantly at baseline from these observed in controls. However under the influence of biologic therapy, a significant decrease in its mean serum level was observed in all analysed groups (treated with adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and ustekinumab) (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

According to obtained results, the IL-6 and IL-22 serum concentration may be an accurate marker of response to antipsoriatic therapy, even though not strictly correlated with PASI index. Biologic therapy in psoriasis allows for long-term clinical improvement expressed through not only the remission of skin lesions, but also through lowering serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory interleukins. Further investigations on a larger group of patients is needed.