Proteolytically active allergens cause barrier breakdown.
Two major allergens--the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1) and cockroach allergens--are proteolytically active and stimulate the protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2). Jeong et al. (2008, this issue) exposed mouse and human epidermis to both allergens and correlated the observed delay in permeability barrier recovery to PAR-2 activation/signaling. This article exposes the secretive boundaries between barrier homeostasis and immunity.
Roelandt
Truus
T
Dienst Dermatologie, Universitair Ziekenhuis-Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Heughebaert
Carol
C
Hachem
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D044464:Receptor, PAR-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D044464:Receptor, PAR-2