Chitin modulates innate immune responses of keratinocytes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chitin, after cellulose the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature, is an essential component of exoskeletons of crabs, shrimps and insects and protects these organisms from harsh conditions in their environment. Unexpectedly, chitin has been found to activate innate immune cells and to elicit murine airway inflammation. The skin represents the outer barrier of the human host defense and is in frequent contact with chitin-bearing organisms, such as house-dust mites or flies. The effects of chitin on keratinocytes, however, are poorly understood.

Methodology/principal findings

We hypothesized that chitin stimulates keratinocytes and thereby modulates the innate immune response of the skin. Here we show that chitin is bioactive on primary and immortalized ker

SUBMITTER: Koller B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3044707 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature