title: What is really in control of skin immunity: lymphocytes, dendritic cells, or keratinocytes? facts and controversies.
abstract: The pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis is still under discussion. Although it is widely accepted that environmental factors and a genetic predisposition are essential, the role of the innate and adaptive immune system and the functional cascade of the cells involved is still unclear. A concept that integrates all immune cells as equally essential has allure. In addition, barrier abnormalities due to mutations of the gene coding for filaggrin and down-regulation of antimicrobial peptides, such as LL-37 and beta-defensins 2 and 3, were very recently found to be relevant for the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, 80337 Munich, Germany. Rudolf.Rupec@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Rudolf A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rupec
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boneberger
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ruzicka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D054804:Cathelicidins / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D054804:Cathelicidins; D016207:Cytokines; C422950:DEFB103A protein, human; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; C000717249:FLG protein, human; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D023083:beta-Defensins