Lesional Th17 cells and regulatory T cells in bullous pemphigoid

Th17 cells play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. We previously reported that Th17 cells are recruited to the lesional skin in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF). The aim of this study was to evaluate lesional Th17 cells and Treg cells in bullous pemphigoid (BP). Correlations between these cells and disease severity of BP were also evaluated. Immunohistochemical studies showed that both IL-17+ and Foxp3+ cells were present in higher numbers in BP lesions, compared with control skin. IL-17/CD4 ratio in BP was significantly higher than that in PF. Foxp3/CD4 ratio in BP was significantly less than that in either PV or PF. There were no obvious correlations between these cells and disease severity of BP. This study suggests that, compared with pemphigus, BP shows more Th17 cell-related inflammation and less Treg-related regulation.