ex Vivo Study of the Inflammatory Response Associated With Hidradenitis Suppurativa

The objective is to investigate ex vivo the inflammatory response in hidradenitis suppurativa (activation of an inflammasome, role of pro-inflammatory cytokines) in the skin of patients treated surgically for this disease.

The investigators hypothesize that Th17-derived cytokines, especially IL-17, could serve as a relay in the inflammatory process leading to HS severity and recurrences.To fulfil this proposal, the investigators will aim at demonstrating and characterizing the presence of an inflammasome associated to HS disease - Hypothesis It is widely accepted that hyperkeratinisation and follicular occlusion originate infection thereof causing skin inflammation. The investigators here hypothesized that host-derived danger signals led to the release of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β by activating an inflammasome structure.

The inflammasome is a molecular platform controlling the expression and the activation of IL-1β via different sensors. The proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β could subsequently lead to the recruitment and orientation of lymphocytes towards a Th17 subtype creating a feedback loop maintaining excessive tissue inflammation in HS.

If such a complex inflammatory process is present in HS, blocking both the bacterial-induced (IL-1 β) and the sterile-associated (IL-17) inflammation would largely improve the therapeutic benefit for HS patients.

- Experimental approach