Cited by 387Dermatology and Skin DiseasesAntimicrobial Peptides and ActivitiesContact Dermatitis and Allergies

Microbial Symbiosis with the Innate Immune Defense System of the Skin

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Gallo, Richard L., Nakatsuji, Teruaki·2011·Journal of Investigative Dermatology

Abstract

Skin protects itself against infection through a variety of mechanisms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are major contributors to cutaneous innate immunity, and this system, combined with the unique ionic, lipid, and physical barrier of the epidermis, is the first-line defense against invading pathogens. However, recent studies have revealed that our skin's innate immune system is not solely of human origin. Staphylococcus epidermidis, a major constituent of the normal microflora on healthy human skin, acts as a barrier against colonization of potentially pathogenic microbes and against overgrowth of already present opportunistic pathogens. Our resident commensal microbes produce their own AMPs, act to enhance the normal production of AMPs by keratinocytes, and are beneficial to maintaining inflammatory homeostasis by suppressing excess cytokine release after minor epidermal injury. These observations indicate that the normal human skin microflora protects skin by various modes of action, a conclusion supported by many lines of evidence associating diseases such as acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea with an imbalance of the microflora even in the absence of classical infection. This review highlights recent observations on the importance of innate immune systems and the relationship with the normal skin microflora to maintain healthy skin.

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Crossref · 10.1038/jid.2011.182

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  • Barrier function and control of responses to microorganisms in normal skin are complex and involve the establishment of a synergistic ecology between the host and colonizing microbiome.

    “It has recently become evident that barrier function and control of responses to microorganisms in normal skin are complex and involve the establishment of a synergistic ecology between the host and colonizing microbiome.3”

    From The Innate Immune System in Acute and Chronic Wounds (2016) · cites this paper as [3]

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Authors
Gallo, R. L., & Nakatsuji, T.
Affiliations
University of California San Diego (US)
Corresponding author
Gallo, Richard L.
Venue
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-10
Volume
131
Issue
10
Pages
1974-1980
ISSN
0022-202X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2106732573
Cited by
387
References
68
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 35 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 33 · 2012: 22
FWCI
4.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Investigative Dermatology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Funders
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (R01AI052453, R56AI083358, R01AI083358, R37AI052453)
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R01AR052728, R13AR009431)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Contact Dermatitis and Allergies
Keywords
skin microbiome, antimicrobial peptides, innate immunity, Staphylococcus epidermidis, commensal bacteria, keratinocytes, skin barrier, skin colonization, cytokine regulation, acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea, dysbiosis
MeSH terms
Dermatitis, Atopic, Fatty Acids, Nonesterified, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Models, Biological, Skin, Skin Diseases, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Symbiosis, Keratinocytes, Cytokines, beta-Defensins, Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides, Toll-Like Receptors

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