Skin barrier function and its importance at the start of the atopic march.

Atopic dermatitis can be due to a variety of causes from nonatopic triggers to food allergy. Control of egress of water and protection from ingress of irritants and allergens are key components of cutaneous barrier function. Current research suggests that a degraded barrier function of the skin allows the immune system inappropriate access to environmental allergens. Epidermal aeroallergen exposure may allow sensitization to allergen possibly initiating the atopic march. Further research into connections between epidermal barrier function and possible allergen sensitization will be important to undertake. Future clinical trials focused on skin barrier protection may be of value as a possible intervention in prevention of the initiation of the atopic march.

1. Introduction

The atopic march refers to the natural progression of atopic diseases from atopic dermatitis in infancy to atopic asthma in school age children. Recent research has uncovered exciting data concerning the initiation of the atopic march. A previously little valued component of the epidermis, the strateum corneum, has become an area of scientific attention in the study of the allergic diathesis. This focus on epidermal barrier function potentially provides a heightened understanding of both atopic dermatitis and the initiation of the atopic march. Improving barrier function with reduced water loss and minimized ingress of allergens might become an important tool to controlling the onset of the atopic march.

2. Epidemiology and Definition of Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most significant and common skin diseases of childhood. Studies from Japan suggest that the prevalence for atopic dermatitis in childhood may be as high as 11–25% [1, 2]. There is a 15.8% prevalence of atopic dermatitis in 3–5-year-old children in New Zealand [3]. A US-population-based study revealed that the prevalence of atopic dermatitis amongst 5–9-year olds was 17.2% [4, 5].

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory cutaneous disease characterized by erythema, pruritus, altered barrier function, and immune dysfunction resulting in IgE sensitization. Dysfunction of antimicrobial peptides such as defensins, psoriasins, and cathelicidins is associated with the development of atopic dermatitis [6-8]. Functional alteration of these peptides has been associated with eczema herpeticum. A perturbation in the function of these peptides can result in cutaneous infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Infectious sequelae frequently result in atopic dermatitis exacerbations. These and other developments in atopic dermatitis are exciting. However, the emphasis of this paper will be confined to defining the importance of altered strateum corneum function and its possible link to the atopic march.

3. Components of the Strateum Corneum Establishing Skin Barrier Function

Epidermal layers of the skin include, the stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale. The structure of these layers is demonstrated in Figure 1 [9]. Until recently, the outermost layer of the dermis was relatively ignored as a factor in the development of atopic dermatitis. In the epidermis there are multiple components important to barrier function. These components include claudin, desmoglein, filaggrin, ceramide, and proper control of proteases (Table 1). When properly functioning, this layer prevents water loss and provides a barrier to epidermal invasion of allergens and bacteria.

Figure 1

Layers forming the protective epidermal barrier.

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
Claudin	Tight junction protein	Prevention of water loss	Prevention of TH2 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

Each corneocyte in the stratum corneum is held together by tight junctions and scaffolding proteins. Claudins are a family of proteins that are important components of the tight junctions between corneocytes that help to maintain the skin barrier. Claudin-deficient patients have aberrant formation of tight junctions that cause disruption of the bioelectric barrier [10]. Claudins are an essential component controlling the paracellular barrier flow of molecules in the intercellular space between the cells of an epithelium. These tight junctions help prevent moisture loss through this layer of the skin as well as block access through the skin of external environmental allergens. Claudin expression in atopic dermatitis patients has been inversely correlated to increased TH2 biomarker expression [10]. This suggests that claudin may help inhibit immune exposure to allergic stimuli.

Similar tight junction dysfunction has been found in desmoglein transgenic mice. Desmogleins play a role in the formation of desmosomes that promotes cell-to-cell tight junction adhesion in the stratum corneum. Mice without desmoglein were ultimately found to die from dehydration presumably due to increased transepidermal water loss mediated by lack of corneocyte adhesion [11].

A different genetic knock-out mouse model of atopic dermatitis examined the relationship between scaffolding proteins and skin barrier function. Scaffolding proteins are required to overlaying tight junction linked corneocytes with cross-linked proteins and lipids to form an effective epidermal barrier. Loss of epidermal scaffolding proteins such as involucrin, envoplakin, and periplakin is associated with alterations in epidermal barrier function such as filaggrin and desmoglein-1 processing with formation of an abnormal cornified epidermal envelope [12]. Immune regulatory dysfunction after disruption of scaffolding proteins was associated with increased CD4+ T cell infiltration and lack of gamma delta+ T cells. This association suggests that an abnormal epidermal layer may contribute to the allergic inflammatory process associated with atopic dermatitis.

Another factor allowing proper function of the epidermis is the control of the on or off activity of skin proteases. SPINK is a protein that inhibits serine protease action in the skin. The SPINK gene is absent in Netherton's syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by severe atopic dermatitis, scaling, and an elevated serum IgE [13]. In this potentially lethal disease, lack of SPINK results in uncontrolled serine protease elastase-2 activity. Increased protease activity negatively alters filaggrin and lipid (ceramide) processing thereby decreasing skin barrier function. It has been suggested that barrier function in populations with SNP alterations of SPINK5 may lead to increased susceptibility to asthma [14].

Increased protease functioning also occurs in atopic dermatitis patients. Allergens such as dust mite, cockroach and mold can activate serine proteases, adversely affecting the epidermal barrier [15]. In fact, dust mite and cockroach allergens themselves can be proteolytically active and stimulate the serine protease pathway thereby decreasing skin barrier function [16, 17].

Filaggrin is an important protein found in lamellar bodies of stratum granulosum corneocytes. When these granules are released they become a vital component of the extracellular matrix of the stratum corneum. Mutations of the filaggrin gene have been associated with ichthyosis vulgaris and persistent atopic dermatitis [18, 19]. Filaggrin gene defects may exist in as many as 50% of atopic dermatitis patients [20, 21]. Meta-analysis of filaggrin polymorphism data has identified a genetic alteration in filaggrin as a significant risk for development of atopic dermatitis [22]. The results of filaggrin gene mutations are striking as several studies have demonstrated that the severity of atopic dermatitis correlates with the number of filaggrin gene defects [23-26].

4. Permeability Layer Disruption Is Bidirectional Allowing Both Epidermal Water Loss and Allergen Penetration

The lipid lamellar matrix is an integral component in controlling the barrier function of the skin. Decreased protein-bound omega-hydroxyceramides are found in the lesional skin of atopic dermatitis patients as compared to control patients [27]. In this study, deficiency of barrier lipid free ceramides was determined to be a major contributing factor in damaging the permeability barrier of the skin.

A murine model of atopic dermatitis illustrates the importance of ceramide in preventing allergen-induced atopic dermatitis. In this model, a synthetic ceramide was applied to the skin of mice noted for the ability to develop atopic dermatitis [28]. In this model of dust-mite-induced atopic dermatitis, ceramide application reduced skin thickness and actually blocked components of allergic inflammation. Inflammatory factors prevented were the cutaneous infiltration by mast cells and expression of tumor necrosis factor. An in vitro study has demonstrated that ceramide inhibits mast cell production of IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 [29]. These models suggest that an intact lipid matrix in the strateum corneum may actually prevent epidermal penetration of allergen and allergic atopic dermatitis.

Filaggrin is another key protein in protecting against water loss through the strateum corneum and is present in the epidermis as early as 3 months of age [30]. Filaggrin-deficient atopic dermatitis patients have decreased filaggrin-derived natural moisturization factors [31, 32]. The function of filaggrin in the development of the epidermal barrier has been confirmed in murine models of atopic dermatitis. Scharschmidt et al. describe altered lamellar body secretion in an atopic dermatitis flaky tailed mouse model. In this model, a decrease in stratum corneum extracellular matrix component correlated with increased permeability of water soluble molecules [33].

Degradation products of filaggrin have been found to contribute to the formation of the epidermal barrier by providing acidity. This critical function of acidification and hydration of the skin has been linked to filaggrin gene defects in atopic dermatitis [34]. In vitro models of skin demonstrate that urocanic acid is a key filaggrin-derived amino acid linked to skin acidity [35]. In this study, skin pH became more basic with decreased filaggrin, which was associated with an increase in dye penetration. The skin performs a vital function in providing barrier function, and if this is interrupted by filaggrin deficiency, then inflammatory irritants, haptens, and infections have greater access to the deeper layers of the skin.

5. Barrier Proteins May Be One Line of Defense against Allergic Diseases

In studies of filaggrin-deficient children, increased transepidermal water loss along with development of specific IgE antibody to dust mite and cat was found with asthma [36, 37]. A recent meta-analysis confirmed that the risk of developing asthma was increased in those with eczema but not in those without atopic dermatitis. Filaggrin gene mutations were linked directly to atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and the development of asthma in children [38, 39]. These studies together suggest that the lack of barrier function itself may contribute to the development of allergy and asthma.

This reduction in barrier function may allow for the development of inflammation due to increased penetration of allergen through the skin allowing IgE sensitization. In a filaggrin-deficient murine model, allergen exposure over lesional skin was linked to the development of allergen-specific IgE and Th17 expression [40]. Facilitation of allergen sensitization in individuals with filaggrin deficiency is believed to be due to reduced barrier function. This hypothesis of increased skin penetrability correlating with diminished barrier function has been tested with both water and lipid soluble dyes in vivo. Dye penetration was deepest with severity of atopic dermatitis and correlated to increasing serum IgE as compared to control patients [34, 35].

6. The Atopic March

Children with atopic dermatitis have a significant risk of going on to develop other atopic diseases such as allergic sensitization and asthma. Whether eczema precedes or postdates the development of allergic sensitization is not clear for all children [41]. Thirty to fifty percent of the children who develop atopic dermatitis go on to develop asthma and two-thirds go on to have allergic rhinitis [36, 42]. In one study of 169 infants with eczema, 35% developed subspecialist-diagnosed asthma and these children had inhalant-induced allergy [36].

The allergic march has a pattern of allergic sensitization that changes as children age. In a study with 262 children with atopic dermatitis, IgE sensitization to food was common under 2 years of age. Between 2 and 5 years of age the children had food allergy but also started to develop inhalant allergy. After 5 years of age the children had mostly inhalant allergy as a significant allergic factor associated with their atopic dermatitis [43].

Dust mite and cockroach are allergens associated with atopic dermatitis [44]. Alternaria allergy eventually develops in 56% of atopic dermatitis children by 12 years of age [45]. When 30 children with atopic dermatitis were compared with 30 patients with respiratory symptoms without atopic dermatitis, aeroallergen allergy was significant in a selected population of atopic dermatitis patients. Of these children with atopic dermatitis, 70% were skin test positive for mite, 70% were positive for cockroach, 63% were skin test positive to house dust, 50% had evidence of IgE sensitization to mold, and 43% had IgE reactivity to grass. However, only 10 percent of the kids with respiratory symptoms (and no atopic dermatitis) were allergic to any aeroallergen in this study [46]. This suggests an important link between atopic dermatitis and development of inhalant allergy rather than inhalation of allergen resulting in allergic sensitization and asthma.

Studies suggest that a significant number of these children develop atopic dermatitis first and subsequently become sensitized to aeroallergens. Allergic rhinitis and asthma then follow. Suggested risk factors for this chain of events include atopic parents, possibly cat ownership [47], and presence of eczema prior to 4 years of age [48]. The progression to asthma is as high as 29.5% in children with eczema [49]. Cumulative smoke exposure may be an additional risk factor influencing the development of asthma in FLG-null patients [50]. A recent genome-wide study found that FLG mutation was associated with a chromosomal (11q13.5) variant. These individuals had increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis associated with asthma [51]. This risk of atopic dermatitis patients then developing asthma is significant enough that the Asthma Predictive Index utilizes the presence of atopic dermatitis in a wheezing infant as one of two major criteria for predicting eventual asthma [52].

7. Therapeutic Options Involving Barrier Function and Atopic Dermatitis

Identification of ceramide as a critical element in barrier function has led to the development of ceramide-based emollients. In a study of mild-moderate atopic dermatitis patients, application of ceramide emollient resulted in 69% of patients having no symptoms of eczema and skin hydrations scores improving significantly [53]. Ceramide-dominant lipid-based emollient was used in 24 children with stubborn atopic dermatitis. In this study, skin cohesion and transepidermal water loss levels improved with atopic dermatitis scores as a result of the reestablishment of extracellular lamellar membranes in the stratum corneum [54]. As in murine studies, ceramide-based emollients in humans have been shown to decrease inflammatory cytokine interleukin-4 expression and decrease transepidermal water loss in atopic dermatitis patients [55].

Strategies for possible prevention of atopic dermatitis include encouraging the natural acidification of the skin. Treating mice with lactobionic acid was associated with normal barrier function in addition to normalization of atopic inflammatory markers such as serum IgE [56]. These atopic dermatitis mice achieved normal lamellar body secretion and lipid bilayer formation after lactobionic acid treatment only. In human patients, early studies suggest that neutral pH soaps may be an effective therapeutic component when treating atopic dermatitis [57]. Whether neutral “baby washes” or water washing alone after birth protects the epidermal barrier and prevents the onset of atopic dermatitis remains to be studied.

Immediate barrier repair can even be implemented on a delipidized stratum corneum with petrolatum without application of ceramide [58]. A preliminary study investigated whether petrolatum can be used immediately after birth to prevent atopic dermatitis. High-risk neonates with first-degree relatives having atopic dermatitis or asthma were enrolled at birth in a feasibility of prevention study [59]. The study utilized an emollient cream and rescue petrolatum at birth as a prevention of atopic dermatitis. This population historically has a 30–50% risk of developing atopic dermatitis by 2 years of age. Only 15% of these treated infants developed eczema and barrier function measurements reflective of normal skin, which suggests a protective effect.

8. Questions for the Future

Murine models suggest that allergen penetration through the skin barrier is important to the development of atopic dermatitis. Human studies show a link between barrier protein dysfunction and development of atopic dermatitis and possibly asthma. Clinical trials have not yet directly looked at allergen penetration through a disordered skin barrier and subsequent development of asthma. Controlled trials with a significant number of patients would be important in determining whether prevention strategies for decreasing allergic sensitization and atopic dermatitis are effective. Longer-term follow-up studies determining whether the onset of allergic rhinitis and asthma is decreased by decreasing the incidence of eczema would also be exciting.

It is apparent that not all patients with filaggrin deficiency go on to develop atopic dermatitis [60]. In fact, if they do develop eczema, remission is possible. It has not been studied whether these patients also are the same atopic dermatitis patients who do not have disease progression to asthma. Factors determining nonexpression of allergic rhinitis and asthma have not been elucidated. Which populations are destined to have a milder disease course? Patients may “naturally" modify disease expression such as self-treatment with hydration and if they do can it be applied as prevention in high-risk infants? Which genetic modifiers associated with filaggrin deficiency lead to or prevent the atopic march?

Research in the alteration and prevention of loss of stratum corneum barrier function may provide answers to questions raised regarding the development of atopic dermatitis and asthma.  Early identification of at-risk individuals and developing treatment strategies allowing retention of good skin barrier function may assist in the prevention of allergic sensitization in some individuals. The atopic march may not be inevitable for certain genetically predisposed individuals. Research into maintenance of barrier function in patients at risk for atopy may elucidate the ability to control skin barrier function and prevent onset of atopic dermatitis, and, hopefully, asthma.