Irish study pinpoints new therapeutic target for atopic dermatitis
A key mechanism underlying bacterial skin colonisation in atopic dermatitis (AD) has been discovered by Irish researchers.
AD, commonly known as eczema is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disorder in children, affecting millions around the globe and 15 to 20 per cent of people in childhood.
During disease flares, patients experience painful inflamed skin lesions accompanied by intense itch and recurrent skin infection.
The bacterium
Staphylococcus aureus (
S. aureus) thrives on skin affected by AD, increasing inflammation and worsening AD symptoms. By studying the attachment of the bacterium to “corneocytes”, which are dead, flattened skin cells in the outer layer of the skin, researchers at the School of Genetics and Microbiology and School of Clinical Medicine, Trinity College Dublin (TCD), investigated the human and bacterial factors that enabled S. aureus to interact with skin.
Trinity researchers discover key mechanism underlying bacterial skin colonization in atopic dermatitis
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have discovered a key mechanism underlying bacterial skin colonization in atopic dermatitis, which affects millions around the globe.
Atopic dermatitis (AD, also called commonly eczema) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disorder in children, affecting 15-20% of people in childhood. During disease flares, patients experience painful inflamed skin lesions accompanied by intense itch and recurrent skin infection.
The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) thrives on skin affected by AD, increasing inflammation and worsening AD symptoms. Although a small number of therapies are available at present for patients with moderate to severe AD, it is vital that we understand how S. aureus colonises AD skin so that we can develop new treatments that directly target the bacterium.
Credit: Dave Cullen
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have discovered a key mechanism underlying bacterial skin colonisation in atopic dermatitis, which affects millions around the globe.
Atopic dermatitis (AD, also called commonly eczema) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disorder in children, affecting 15-20% of people in childhood. During disease flares, patients experience painful inflamed skin lesions accompanied by intense itch and recurrent skin infection.
The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) thrives on skin affected by AD, increasing inflammation and worsening AD symptoms. Although a small number of therapies are available at present for patients with moderate to severe AD, it is vital that we understand how S. aureus colonises AD skin so that we can develop new treatments that directly target the bacterium.