Abstract
Serine protease tissue kallikreins influence epidermal barrier function. In epidermal keratinocytes, kallikrein 5 (trypsin-like serine protease) and kallikrein 7 (chymotrypsin-like serine protease) are abundantly expressed. These kallikreins are involved in desquamation in normal skin. In atopic dermatitis lesion, tissue kallikreins expression is aberrantly increased, which changes the balanace with the protease inhibitors, leads to the degradation of adhesion molecules and facilitates the entries of microbes and allergen into the epidermis. Our investigation has suggested that Th2 cytokines contribute to epidermal barrier dysfunction by changing the balance between tissue kallikreins and the protease inhibitors.Skin Research, Suppl. 16: 29-33, 2011
