Association between psoriasis and STAT3

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, and is currently considered to be co-mediated by heredity, environment and immunity. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an important transcription factor, which is associated with cancer and autoimmune diseases. STAT3 plays a crucial role in the occurrence of psoriasis by participating in the differentiation of T helper 17 cells, hyperproliferation and abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes, interaction with inflammatory cells, hyperplasia of dermal vessels and other important pathological processes. In recent studies, therapies targeting STAT3 and its upstream Janus kinases (JAK) have shown good efficacy and safety in the management of psoriasis. This review summarizes the association between psoriasis and STAT3, so as to provide evidence for the feasibility of the treatment of psoriasis with targeted inhibition of STAT3. Key words: Psoriasis; STAT3 transcription factor; Janus kinases; Keratinocytes; Pathogenesis; Therapy