Piérard-Franchimont C, Piérard G E
Service de Dermatopathologie, CHU de Liège.
Rev Med Liege. 2008 Dec;63(12):699-701.
Innate immunity represents a complex biological organization exhibiting some implications in diverse disorders, in particular at the level of the skin. Its functioning relies on two main groups of components encompassing the PRRs (Protein Recognition Receptors) and the antimicrobial peptides. In humans, particularly in the skin, the major PRRs are represented by the Toll-like receptors (TLRs). The main antimicrobial peptides encompass the alpha- and beta-defensins, and cathelicidins. The expression of the innate immunity compounds is modulated by some drugs. This feature represents a mode of action that remained ignored in the past.