Happy Bacteria? No Sweat!

Sweat contains peptides important to innate cutaneous immunity.

Sweat glands produce dermcidin (DCD) peptides. The antimicrobial peptides DCD-1 and DCD-1L can kill certain bacteria and viruses directly. Because other defensins activate keratinocytes, investigators examined the effect of DCD-1L on signaling in normal keratinocytes. DCD-1L stimulated the keratinocytes to produce cytokines and chemokines, including tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-8 (CXCL8), interferon-inducible protein 10 (CXCL10), and macrophage inflammatory protein-3α (CCL20), which contribute to cutaneous immunity.

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)

Happy Bacteria? No Sweat!

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Reviewing Author