The expression of IL-1β and NLRP3 inflammasome components in hidradenitis suppurativa lesional skin
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease that imposes a profound burden on patients and is increasingly recognized as an autoinflammatory disorder. Among implicated pathogenic mechanisms, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) has emerged as a candidate driver of disease, but its role in HS relative to other dermatoses has not been clearly defined. To address this, we analyzed bulk and single-cell transcriptomic datasets from lesional and non-lesional HS skin and compared them with psoriasis (PSO), atopic dermatitis (ATD) and nummular eczema (NME) as well as normal skin. Across independent HS cohorts, lesional skin demonstrated consistent enrichment of specific IL-1 family members, including IL-1β, IL-18, IL-33 and IL-36, as well as components of the NLRP3 inflammasome, together with broad myeloid and lymphoid activation, along with reduced barrier and adhesion, apocrine sweat gland and hair follicle gene signatures. Comparative analyses revealed IL-1 involvement in PSO and NME, whereas ATD showed minimal IL-1 activity. Single-cell profiling localized IL-1β expression in HS primarily to macrophages and tissue stem cells, with NLRP3 components broadly expressed across myeloid and stromal compartments. Collectively, these findings position IL-1β as a consistent mediator of HS immunopathology and provide a rationale for biomarker-driven therapeutic strategies targeting IL-1β-related pathways.
Source: JID Innovations
Institution: Ampel BioSolutions (United States)
Language: English
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,000
Funder: Cerecor
OpenAlex ID: W7212043281