Psoriasis is mediated by T cells that trigger keratinocytes to hyperproliferate and perpetuate the disease [9]. T helper (h)17 and Th1 cells and the cytokines produced by these cells are found in increased levels within psoriasis plaques [10] as well as in the circulation [11] and are thought to have an important role in psoriatic inflammation. The relationship between Th1 and Th17 cells is still unclear. The tissue-specific

localization of T cells is thought to be guided by the skin-homing molecules such as cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA), various chemoattractants and their receptors, including chemokine receptors 4 (CCR4) and 10 (CCR10) [12]. In addition, adhesion molecules are thought to mediate T cell migration and retention in cutaneous tissue, such as the αE (CD103) β7 integrin that is overexpressed selleck products in psoriasis skin [13]. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the immunological therapeutic effect

of two treatment protocols on psoriasis, learn more focusing on the main inflammatory cytokines and effector T cell phenotypes known to be important for skin homing and tissue retention, thus potentially providing new insight into the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. Our results confirm the role of Th1 and Th17 effector T cells in psoriasis. It also provides insight into the role of CD8+ T cell secreting IFN-γ (Tc1) and IL-17 (Tc17) and CLA+/CD103+ effector T cells in its immunopathology. The Icelandic National Bioethics Committee (Nr. 08-010-S1) and the Icelandic Data Protection Authority approved the study. After providing informed consent, twelve patients with plaque psoriasis entered the study. They were assessed at baseline (W0), one (W1), three (W3) and BCKDHB eight (W8) weeks after starting treatment. Disease severity was assessed by the same physician (J.H.E.) at each time point

with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) [14] score and photographic documentation, and punch biopsies and blood samples were obtained. Eligible patients were recruited to the study from January to May 2008. They were referred by dermatologists, and they were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Patients were excluded if they had other forms of psoriasis, had other skin diseases or had received systemic psoriasis therapy, phototherapy or topical treatment within the previous 4 weeks. Of the 12 patients enrolled, six received inpatient treatment at the BL clinic for two weeks and 6 were treated with NB-UVB therapy three times weekly for 8 weeks. Psoriasis treatment at the BL clinic included bathing in geothermal seawater twice daily for at least 1 h combined with NB-UVB therapy 5 days per week for 2 weeks. After treatment at the BL clinic, patients used moisturizing creams for 6 weeks.