Inflammatory Cytokines and Psoriasis: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, has been posited to be influenced by circulating inflammatory cytokines. However, the causative link remains nebulous. The use of Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis is gaining popularity in testing the causal impact of exposures on disease outcomes by utilizing data obtained from genome-wide association studies. Using a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis model, we evaluated the causal relationship between 26 circulating inflammatory cytokines and psoriasis risk based on GWAS meta-analysis summary data. We identified significant causal associations between specific inflammatory cytokines and psoriasis. IL-14 and CTACK were associated with increased risk, while IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and MCP1 showed associations with reduced risk. Notably, IL-14 and CTACK emerged as potential risk factors, while IL-1ra and MCP1 appear to serve as protective factors. No significant effects were observed for IL-2ra, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17, IL-8, IL-10, IL-16, IL-18, MIF, MIG, MIP1a, MIP1b, RANTES, and CXCL9 on psoriasis. The research offers genetic epidemiology evidence that associates psoriasis risk with specific circulating inflammatory cytokines. These findings underscore the potential of cytokine-targeted therapies and the importance of cytokine profiling in clinical practice.
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