Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease. Skin-produced antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have a central function in the defense against microbes. Human β-defensins (HBD) are found mostly in epithelial surfaces, such as skin. Recent studies demonstrated that AD cases displayed minimal levels of human β-defensin-2 (HBD-2) in their skin biopsies.
Objective: This article aimed to throw the light on antimicrobial peptides in atopic dermatitis.
Methods: Data were obtained from online papers, review articles, and studies on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. We searched for Atopic dermatitis, Erythema, Excoriation, Anti-microbial peptides, β-defensins. The authors also reviewed references from pertinent literature, however only the most recent or comprehensive studies from October 2002 to August 2023 were included. Documents in languages other than English were disqualified due to lack of translation-related sources. Papers such as unpublished manuscripts, oral presentations, conference abstracts, and dissertations that were not part of larger scientific studies were excluded.
Conclusion: There is a possible relation between B-defensin and pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Also, there is a significant relationship between B-defensin and disease severity (SCORAD). So, B-defensin can be utilized as a promising marker in the context of AD severity.