Immunological and molecular targets of atopic dermatitis treatment.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease with a highly variable clinical phenotype and heterogeneous pathophysiology. Its pathogenesis is associated with alterations to both the skin barrier and the immune system, which may in turn be influenced by genetic mutations and the patient's environment. Basic and translational research, as well as clinical trials, have helped broaden our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of AD and to identify potential treatment targets and approaches. These include new ways of reducing transepidermal water loss and the shedding of corneocytes, new ways of interacting with established molecular targets (such as histamine receptors and interleukins and other T-cell cytokines), and the identification of new molecular targets (such as toll-like receptors and tight junction proteins). Well-established treatment options such as emollients, corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors will clearly continue to have a role in treating AD. Among the new agents that could be joining them in the near future are sphinganin (a precursor of ceramides 1 and 3), cannabinoids, highly targeted monoclonal antibodies and subcutaneous immunotherapy.
Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Frauenlobstr. 9-11, D-80337, Munich, Germany.
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D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000502:physiology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004817:Epidermis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D007617:Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption / Q000517:prevention & control; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology; D011968:Receptors, Histamine / Q000276:immunology; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000276:immunology; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D002186:Cannabinoids; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D011968:Receptors, Histamine; D014807:Vitamin D; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D013110:Sphingosine; C005682:safingol