The Role of Bacterial Toxins in Human Skin Disease

Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are two skin diseases often associated with bacterial infections and inflammation. Studies indicate that skin cells from these patients may have some changes that make these patients more susceptible to bacterial infections. Inflammatory environment may have an effect on the function of skin cells. The purpose of this study is to learn more about skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) and how they regulate skin barrier function. To study this we need to establish skin cells that can be grown in the laboratory. We will use small skin biopsies from patients with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and healthy people as a source of these cells. Since these skin cells have a limited lifetime when grown in laboratory as part of the project we would like to modify them, which allows them to grow for long time in the research laboratory. Some of the collected skin biopsies and isolated skin cells will be used to examine what gene products they make.