title: Cutaneous immunology: basics and new concepts.
abstract: As one of the largest organs, the skin forms a mechanical and immunological barrier to the environment. The skin immune system harbors cells of the innate immune system and cells of the adaptive immune system. Signals of the innate immune system typically initiate skin immune responses, while cells and cytokines of the adaptive immune system perpetuate the inflammation. Skin immune responses ensure effective host defense against pathogens but can also cause inflammatory skin diseases. An extensive crosstalk between the different cell types of the immune system, tissue cells, and pathogens is responsible for the complexity of skin immune reactions. Here we summarize the major cellular and molecular components of the innate and adaptive skin immune system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Amir S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Yazdi
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Röcken
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany. Kamran.Ghoreschi@med.uni-tuebingen.de.
authors.forename: Kamran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ghoreschi
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism