Outside-to-Inside (and now back to Outside) pathogenic mechanisms in atopic dermatitis

The pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) has been attributed largely to abnormalities in the adaptive immune system, with key roles played by T-helper 1(Th1)/Th2 cell dysregulation, IgE production, dendritic cell signaling, and mast-cell hyperactivity, resulting in the pruritic, inflammatory dermatosis that characterizes AD (Leung et al., 2004). Accordingly, therapy has been focused on ameliorating Th2-mediated inflammation and pruritus (e.g., Leung, 2000). Indeed, there is emerging evidence that inflammation in AD results first from inherited and acquired insults that converge to alter epidermal structure and function, followed by immune system activation, which in turn has negative consequences for skin-barrier homeostasis. This cycle comprises an outside-inside-outside model of AD pathogenesis (Elias et al, in press).