Chinese Journal of Dermatology ›› 2026, e20240377.doi: 10.35541/cjd.20240377

• Reviews • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Tryptophan and arginine metabolism in immune regulation and their role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis

Guo Lan, Jin Hongzhong   

  1. Department of Dermatology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases, Beijing 100730, China
  • Received:2024-07-16 Revised:2025-08-10 Online:2026-02-09 Published:2026-03-11
  • Contact: Jin Hongzhong E-mail:jinhongzhong@263.net
  • Supported by:
    Beijing Natural Science Foundation (7242109); National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding (2022-PUMCH-B-092); Beijing Key Clinical Specialty Construction Project; National Key Clinical Specialty Project of China

Abstract: 【Abstract】 Amino acid metabolism plays a key role in regulating immune responses and in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Psoriasis is a common chronic autoimmune skin disease, whose pathogenesis involves the imbalance of dendritic cells, T cells and other immune cells. Growing evidence indicates that the imbalance of certain amino acids and their metabolic process in psoriasis are related to the pathogenesis of psoriasis, with tryptophan and arginine metabolism being relatively well-studied. They play important roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis by regulating immune response, and may also provide new therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the metabolic process of tryptophan and arginine as well as their regulatory effects on the immune system, and discusses the current research advances regarding their roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, aiming to provide a novel perspective on the pathogenesis of psoriasis, potentially facilitating new approaches for disease intervention.

Key words: Amino acid metabolism, Tryptophan, Arginine, Immune regulation, Psoriasis