Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the publication of a study supporting the potential role of the suppression of Toll-like-receptors (TLRs) 7, 8, and 9 in the treatment of psoriasis. The data were published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE. In the publication, entitled Suppression of Molecular Inflammatory Pathways by Toll-Like Receptor 7, 8, and 9 Antagonists in a Model of IL-23-Induced Skin Inflammation, data are presented from a study of an antagonist of TLRs 7 and 9 and an antagonist of TLRs 7, 8, and 9. The IL-23-induced mouse model of skin inflammation was chosen due to its histological and molecular resemblance to human psoriasis, including the involvement of the IL-17 inflammatory pathway.

Gene expression analyses showed that treatment with either antagonist normalized expression of IL-17-induced genes. Additionally, both antagonists normalized aberrant expression of keratin 16, an indicator of epidermal hyperplasia. More of the IL-23 regulated genes were modulated with the antagonist of TLRs 7, 8, and 9 (36%) than with the antagonist of TLRs 7, and 9 (26%).

In addition to IL-17, other inflammatory pathways, including IL-6 and interferon-gamma, were strongly suppressed by both antagonists.