Distinct Roles of IL-4, IL-13, and IL-22 in Human Skin Barrier Dysfunction and Atopic Dermatitis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic type-2 inflammatory skin disease characterized by eczema and epithelial barrier dysfunction. Along with the type-2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13, IL-22 contributes to AD pathogenesis. To date, most skin studies rely on reconstructed keratinocytes, which do not represent the real skin response.

Objective

Here, we report the distinct effects of IL-4, IL-13, and IL-22 on bio-stabilized human skin with intact barriers and immune cells.

Methods

Spatial transcriptomics on AD-lesions and non-lesional skin was performed. Ex vivo skin barrier integrity was evaluated using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), RNA-sequencing, and untargeted proteomics, complemented by analyses of skin biopsies from dupilumab-treated AD patients.

R

SUBMITTER: D'Avino P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12862561 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature