Dimethyl fumarate modulates the Treg–Th17 cell axis in patients with psoriasis*

Abstract

Background Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is the active ingredient of Skilarence™ and Tecfidera™ which are used for the treatment of psoriasis and multiple sclerosis, respectively. Various immunomodulatory mechanisms of action have been identified for DMF; however, it is still unclear what effects DMF exerts in vivo in psoriasis patients. Aim In this study we examined the effects of DMF, both in vivo and in vitro, on T cells which play a key role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Methods The frequency of T cell subsets was examined by flow cytometry in untreated psoriasis patients or those treated with DMF. The effects of DMF in vitro on T cell survival, activation and proliferation and cell surface thiols were assessed by flow cytometry. Results In psoriasis patients treated with DMF we observed an increase in the frequency of Treg cells and a decrease in Th17 lineage cells and associated cytokines IL‐17, IL‐22 and GM‐CSF. T cells cultured in vitro with DMF exhibited reduced viability and inhibition of activation and proliferation in response to stimulation due to the oxidative effects of DMF. However, the frequency of Treg cells increased in the presence of DMF due to their heightened ability to resist DMF‐induced oxidative stress. Conclusions DMF enhanced the ratio of Treg:Th17 cells both in psoriasis patients, multiple sclerosis patients and in vitro. Furthermore, our data suggest that this is at least in part as a result of the differential effects of DMF on Treg compared with T conventional cells.