Local IL-23 is required for proliferation and retention of skin-resident memory T H 17 cells

Abstract

The cytokine interleukin-23 (IL-23) is critical for development and maintenance of autoimmune inflammation in nonlymphoid tissues; however, the mechanism through which IL-23 supports tissue-specific immunity remains unclear. In mice, we found that circulating memory T cells were dispensable for anamnestic protection from Candida albicans skin infection, and tissue-resident memory (T RM ) cell–mediated protection from C. albicans reinfection required IL-23. Administration of anti–IL-23 receptor antibody to mice after resolution of primary C. albicans infection resulted in loss of CD69 + CD103 + tissue-resident memory T helper 17 (T RM17 ) cells from skin, and clinical anti–IL-23 therapy depleted T RM17 cells from skin of patients with psoriasis. IL-23 receptor blockade impaired T RM17 cell proliferation but did not affect apoptosis susceptibility or tissue egress. IL-23 produced by CD301b + myeloid cells was required for T RM17 maintenance in skin after C. albicans infection, and CD301b + cells were necessary for T RM17 expansion during the development of imiquimod dermatitis. This study demonstrates that locally produced IL-23 promotes in situ proliferation of cutaneous T RM17 cells to support their longevity and function and provides mechanistic insight into the durable efficacy of IL-23 blockade in the treatment of psoriasis.