[Cytokines and skin diseases].

Many skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis are characterised by a chronic inflammatory skin condition. In this respect they resemble other chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, ulcerous colitis and Crohn's disease. A persistent accumulation, predominantly of T-lymphocytes constitutes the central pathophysiological feature of such diseases. The past 15-20 years have witnessed the characterisation of an extensive series of peptides known as cytokines. These are soluble, relatively low molecular weight peptides which at low concentrations mediate regulation of cellular receptors, new phenotype expression, secretion and migration. Many cytokines have been found to be present in conjunction with skin diseases, and it is suggested that they are involved in the development of inflammation.