CD169+ Skin Macrophages Function as a Specialized Subpopulation in Promoting Psoriasis-like Skin Disease in Mice

This study explores the role of CD169+ skin macrophages in promoting psoriasis-like skin disease in mice. It was found that these macrophages are a specialized subpopulation that increases in number and moves closer to the epidermis during psoriasis progression. Depleting CD169+ macrophages in mice alleviated psoriasis symptoms, reduced proinflammatory cytokine levels, and decreased Th17 cells in skin lesions. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a unique gene expression profile in CD169+ macrophages, highlighting their enhanced ability to produce cytokines and promote Th17 cell differentiation. These findings suggest that targeting CD169+ macrophages could be a potential therapeutic strategy for psoriasis.