title: The roles of cutaneous lipids in host defense.
abstract: Lauric acid (C12:0) and sapienic acid (C16:1Δ6) derived from human sebaceous triglycerides are potent antimicrobials found at the human skin surface. Long-chain bases (sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine and 6-hydroxysphingosine) are also potent and broad-acting antimicrobials normally present at the skin surface. These antimicrobials are generated through the action of ceramidases on ceramides from the stratum corneum. These natural antimicrobials are thought to be part of the innate immune system of the skin. Exogenously providing these lipids to the skin may provide a new therapeutic option, or could potentially provide prophylaxis in people at risk of infection. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled The Important Role of Lipids in the Epidermis and their Role in the Formation and Maintenance of the Cutaneous Barrier. Guest Editors: Kenneth R. Feingold and Peter Elias.
authors.affiliation: Dows Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Carol L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Dows Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Derek R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Blanchette
authors.affiliation: Dows Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Kim A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Brogden
authors.affiliation: Dows Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.affiliation: Dows Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Drake
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Dows Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. Electronic address: Philip-wertz@uiowa.edu.
authors.forename: Philip W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Wertz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D055572:Ceramidases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007239:Infections / Q000378:metabolism*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008055:Lipids; D055572:Ceramidases
keywords: Antimicrobial; Dihydrosphingosine; Lauric acid; Phytosphingosine; Sapienic acid; Sphingosine