Keloids and Inflammation: The Crucial Role of IL-33 in Epidermal Changes
ZongAn Chen, YaTing Yang, XiuXia Wang, LingLing Xia, WenBo Wang, XiaoLi Wu, Zhen Gao
From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
BACKGROUND:
Keloids are benign fibroproliferative disorders characterized by excessive collagen
deposition and inflammation that extend beyond the original wound boundaries.
METHODS:
In this study, through clinical sample and high-throughput analysis, we investigate the role of interleukin-33 (IL-33) in the pathogenesis of keloids, highlighting its expression in keratinocytes and its interactions with infiltrating lymphocytes.
RESULTS:
Our results demonstrate that IL -33 levels are significantly elevated in the epidermis of keloid tissues, where it functions as an alarmin, promoting a chronic inflammatory response. We further reveal a feedback loop between IL -33 and interferon - gamma (IN -Y), whereby IL -33 induces IFN -Y production in lymphocytes, which in turn stimulates keratinocytes to produce more IL -33. This loop contributes to impaired keratinocyte differentiation and skin barrier dysfunction, exacerbating the inflammatory environment.
CONCLUSION:
By elucidating the role of the IL-33/ST2 axis in keloid formation, this research provides valuable insights into potential therapeutic targets for managing this challenging condition.