Skin being the largest organ in the human body comprises of different types of cells forming complex networks to facilitate dynamic and plastic cellular communications necessary for an immune response (Matejuk, 2017). The skin performs various immunology functions to protect an individual from exposures from both the internal and external environments. According to Matejuk, (2017) the human skin is capable of inducing tolerance, facilitate wound healing, and prevent diseases. Matejuk, (2017) explains that a better understanding of the skin immunity provides comprehensive information necessary in dealing with skin inflammations, cancer, immune-therapy approaches, and autoimmunity.
The skin acts as a physical barrier protecting an individual from the external environmental toxins, minimizing the stress resulting from an injury, UV irradiation, and microbial treat (Matejuk, 2017). The immune system in the skin exists in both the dermis and the epidermis structural compartments that possess many vital immunocompetent cells.
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The melanocytes and Langerhans cells are the major immune cells occupying the epidermis while the T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells exist in the inner layer of the skin, dermis (Matejuk, 2017). How effective the skin meets its immune response needs depends on the communication and the close functioning of the skin environment (neighboring fibroblasts and keratinocytes) and the immune cells.
Keratinocytes play a major role in the epidermis’ immune competence. Keratinocytes form part of the structural element in the epidermis, creating a four-stratum component. Mtejuk, (2017) highlights that the functional keratinocytes work in conjunction with the epithelial cells and neutrophils creating the prominent source for amphipathic molecules, small cationic, and antimicrobial peptides(AMP), which act as first responders in cases of attack. According to Mtejuk (2017), the expression of Aberrant AMPs accelerates one's vulnerability to microbial diseases and causes the inflammatory type of skin ailments. More so, defective functioning of AMPs, for instance cathelicidin can result in the development of the atopic dermatitis lesions. According to Mtejuk, (2017) decrease in the expressions of AMPs increases one's susceptibility to atopic dermatitis while high rates of AMPs are observable in the psoriatic lesions. Miriam suffered from leprosy, a disease with similar characteristics as today’s psoriatic lesions and atopic dermatitis.
Reference
Matejuk, A. (2017). Skin immunity. Archivum immunological et therapies experimentalis t, 66 (1), https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317660623_Skin_Immunity
