Skin Barrier in Atopic Dermatitis

A compromised permeability barrier is a hallmark of atopic dermatitis (AD). Localized to the outermost skin layer, the stratum corneum (SC) is critically dependent on terminal differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes, which transform into protein-rich corneocytes surrounded by extracellular lamellae of unique epidermal lipids, conferring permeability barrier function. These structures are disrupted in AD. A leaky barrier is prone to environmental insult, which in AD elicits type 2 –dominant inflammation, in turn resulting in a vicious cycle further impairing the SC structure.
Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Atopic Dermatitis Spotlight Source Type: research