Interleukin-17A and Interleukin-17F messenger RNA (IL-17A mRNA / IL-17F mRNA)

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and Interleukin-17F (IL-17F) messenger RNA (mRNA) are the genetic transcripts encoding two key pro-inflammatory cytokines that drive the pathogenesis of several autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. These cytokines are primarily secreted by Th17 cells and act on various cell types, including keratinocytes and fibroblasts, to induce the expression of chemokines and other inflammatory mediators [1, 13]. While current clinical therapies, such as the dual inhibitor bimekizumab, primarily target the secreted proteins to neutralize their biological activity, the mRNA transcripts themselves are significant targets for research and emerging RNA-based therapeutics [5, 15]. Upregulation of IL-17A and IL-17F mRNA is a hallmark of psoriatic lesions and synovial inflammation in psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis [7, 10]. Therapeutic strategies targeting these mRNAs, such as antisense oligonucleotides or small interfering RNAs, aim to silence cytokine production at the pre-translational level [15]. Furthermore, the reduction of IL-17A/F mRNA levels in tissue biopsies serves as a critical biomarker for evaluating the efficacy of upstream inhibitors, such as RORγt antagonists, which modulate the transcription of these genes [16].

Other names

IL17A mRNAIL17F mRNACTLA8 mRNAML-1 mRNAInterleukin-17A transcriptInterleukin-17F transcriptIL-17A/F mRNA

Neutralization of the encoded cytokines (IL-17A and IL-17F), inhibition of the IL-17 receptor complex (IL-17RA), or transcriptional repression via RORγt antagonism; emerging strategies include post-transcriptional silencing via RNA interference (siRNA) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASO).