Revolutionary treatment option for atopic dermatitis by the body's own immune system

Use of the body's own defenses could revolutionize atopic dermatitis therapy
The treatment options for neurodermatitis (atopic eczema) are still extremely limited. Now scientists at the University of Edinburgh have discovered a new approach to therapy using the body's natural defenses. "The discovery could help create new treatments for eczema that affects five out of 20 children and one in 20 adults in the UK," says Edinburgh University.

The scientists were able to identify a new approach to how the body's own natural defenses can be used in a possible atopic dermatitis therapy. The researchers "have found a way to use the body's own defense system to repair tiny fractures in the skin's natural barrier that make people more susceptible to eczema," the university said. The researchers published their results in the journal "Journal of Investigative Dermatology".

Skin lesions in atopic dermatitis are associated with a significantly increased risk of bacterial infections. The protective function of the skin barrier, however, may be restored by activating an endogenous defense mechanism. (Image: SkyLine / fotolia.com)

Increased susceptibility to bacterial infections
A disease of atopic dermatitis is associated with itchy lesions of the skin, which, according to the researchers bring an increased susceptibility to infections. The illness can have far-reaching effects on the lives of those affected, such as at work or during sleep, when the constant itching leads to massive sleep problems. Recent studies have shown how important an intact natural skin barrier is to preventing eczema, the researchers further explain. This barrier could be affected for example by genetic errors, environmental factors or bacterial infections. Basically, bacteria on the skin of people with atopic dermatitis are much more likely to find bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and the bacteria can easily lead to infection via the skin lesions, causing further damage to the skin barrier.

Detected substance protects the skin barrier
The research team around Dr. Donald J. Davidson of the University of Edinburgh has now discovered in his latest research that skin cells can be instructed to produce a naturally occurring protective compound. "This substance - called human beta-defensin 2 (hBD2) - is known to kill bacteria," the researchers report. In addition, a protective effect on the skin barrier had been found in the current study. In atopic dermatitis patients, there is insufficient production of hBD2 in the skin lesions, resulting in corresponding impairments of the protective function.

Traditional treatment options inadequate
The researchers found in laboratory experiments that adding hBD2 helps the skin stay intact and provides the cells with protection against bacterial infections. Their findings could lead to new therapies for eczema, the researchers hope. The conventional treatment with steroid creams is given the threat of side effects and the diminishing effect over time, only a limited help for atopic dermatitis patients.

Hope for new therapies
Atopic eczema is an incredibly widespread disease and could be better treated by the recruitment of the body's natural defense systems in the future, could have a major impact on the lives of many people, so the conclusion of the dermatologist Dr. med. Richard Weller, who was also involved in the study. To what extent a clinical application of the mechanism of hBD2 in atopic dermatitis therapy is possible, further studies must now be clarified. (Fp)