Microbiosis in pathogenesis and intervention of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, non-contagious, inflammatory skin disorder characterized by relapsing eczematous lesions. Its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. The current evidence has emerged to show that skin and gut microbiome play critical roles in the pathogenesis and progression of AD. Skin mircrobiome mainly refers to skin commensal organisms that promote normal immune system functions and prevent the colonization of pathogens; while gut microbiome can modulate immunologic, metabolic and neuroendocrine functions. With the current knowledge of microbiome effects on the onset of the disease, there are evolving multifarious interventions targeting microbiome for the treatment of AD. In this report, we have reviewed the critical roles of microbiosis in the pathogenesis of AD, summarized potential mechanisms mediated by microbiosis and aimed to enlighten a theoretical basis for its therapeutic applications in the treatment of AD.