title: Expression of antimicrobial peptides in atopic dermatitis and possible immunoregulatory functions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize the findings on the expression of antimicrobial peptides in the skin in inflammatory skin diseases and particularly in atopic dermatitis. Moreover, the literature addressing the functions of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) beyond antimicrobial activities with impact on allergic skin inflammation is summarized as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although lower expressed than in psoriasis, most AMPs have been shown to be either constitutively expressed or upregulated in atopic dermatitis as well. A number of immunoregulatory functions which might impact on allergic skin inflammation have been described for several antimicrobial peptides, mainly for human β-defensins and the cathelicidin LL-37.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From the recent literature, there is considerable evidence that AMPs are induced in the skin in atopic dermatitis. However, some studies suggest that the induction, release or mobilization of some AMPs in atopic dermatitis may not reach sufficient levels to provide adequate control of cutaneous microbial colonization. Th2 cytokines appear to negatively influence the expression and induction of some AMPs. A number of immunoregulatory functions have been described for several AMPs. Most of them point to a proinflammatory function of AMPs in addition to their antimicrobial activities. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of AMPs in atopic dermatitis.
authors: Division of Immunodermatology and Allergy Research, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany. Kopfnagel.Verena@mh-hannover.de
authors: Verena
authors: V
authors: Kopfnagel
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Harder
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Werfel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000276:immunology; D054804:Cathelicidins
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D023083:beta-Defensins; D054804:Cathelicidins