Recent developments in atopic dermatitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Research on atopic dermatitis is actively growing and continuously completing our knowledge on the pathophysiology of this complex disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Genome-wide association studies revealed new susceptibility loci for atopic dermatitis. In addition, different tissue-specific patterns of DNA methylation have been identified as first evidence for the relevance of epigenetic modifications in atopic dermatitis. Moreover, interest is emerging on the role of the skin and gut microbiome in atopic dermatitis. Signals mediated via pattern recognition receptors of the innate immune system have been analyzed in more detail, and the role of cytokines, such as IL-22, IL-25, IL-31 and IL-33 as well as innate lymphoid cells, has been studied. SUMMARY: Taken together, better knowledge of atopic dermatitis pathways will form the basis for the development of rationale-based therapeutic approaches in the future.