Chronic inflammatory skin conditions are often closely linked to systemic comorbidities. Key pathogenic mechanisms involve shared cytokine signaling, such as through TNF-α, IL-17, IL-23 and IL-6, which initiate inflammatory processes beyond the skin itself.
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The connection between chronic inflammatory skin diseases and other health problems stems from “shared cytokines,” signaling molecules that play a critical role in the immune response. Understanding these connections is vital, as these conditions can significantly impact overall health and well-being.
The key players are TNF-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-17, and interleukin-23. “They act in different compartments, and that is precisely why we spot so many accompanying diseases,” explained Constanze Jonak, MD, of the Immunodermatological Outpatient Clinic at the University Department of Dermatology of the Medical University of Vienna. This too explains why medications that block individual cytokines can be used across indications, as these cytokines not only promote local inflammation but also contribute to metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychiatric disorders.
