Psoriasis lesions are rich in IL-17–producing T cells as well as neutrophils, which release webs of DNA-protein complexes known as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Because we and others have observed increased NETosis in psoriatic lesions, we hypothesized that NETs contribute to increased T helper type 17 (Th17) cells in psoriasis. After stimulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells with anti-CD3/CD28 beads for 7 days, we found significantly higher percentages of CD3+CD4+IL-17+ (Th17) cells in the presence versus absence of NETs, as assessed by flow cytometry, IL-17 ELISA, and IL17A/F and RORC mRNAs.
