Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2006 Sep;16(3):189-196.

Advances In the Pathophysiology of Atopic Dermatitis

• Park YM

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease often preceding the development of asthma and allergic disorders, such as food allergy or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The incidence of atopic dermatitis is increasing, and this poses a major burden on health care costs. The pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis has long remained enigmatic, but much scientific effort has been invested in elucidating the genetic background and the immunological mechanisms underlying atopic dermatitis. Pathophysiology involves a complex series of interactions between resident and infiltrating cells orchestrated by proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. A deficiency of antimicrobial peptides might contribute to the propensity for colonization or infection by microbial organisms seen in atopic dermatitis. New management approaches have evolved form advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of this common skin disorder.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; dendritic cells; cytokines; chemokines; superantigens; antimicrobial peptides

MeSH Terms

Asthma
Chemokines
Colon
Cytokines
Dendritic Cells
Dermatitis, Atopic*
Food Hypersensitivity
Health Care Costs
Incidence
Peptides
Skin
Skin Diseases
Superantigens
Chemokines
Cytokines
Peptides
Superantigens