Review Article
Skin Barrier Function and Its Importance at the Start of the Atopic March
Table 1
Functions of epidermal barrier components and possible protective role in prevention of atopic march.
| Barrier component | Type | Function | Possible role in preventing atopic march |
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Claudin | Tight junction protein | Prevention of water loss | Prevention of activation | Desmoglein | Desmosome formation | Prevention of water loss | Blocking allergen penetration | Involucrin/envoplakin/periplakin | Scaffolding protein | Structural components to create epidermal barrier | Allowing appropriate immunoregulatory T-cell environment | Urocanic acid | Chromophore | Hygroscopic acid-base regulator/photoprotection | Maintaining skin barrier function | Filaggrin | Protein | Decreased permeability of water soluble molecules/epidermal differentiation | Blocking allergen penetration | Ceramide | Lipid | Contribution to skin permeability barrier and epidermal differentiation | Blocking mast cell infiltration/expression of TNF Blocking Mast production of allergic cytokines. Blocking allergen penetration | Skin protease inhibitors (SPINK) | Protein | Prevention of protease alteration in filaggrin and ceramide production | Maintaining skin barrier function |
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