Innate immunity and the role of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin in inflammatory skin disease

Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide is an important mediator of the innate immune response. In addition to its potent antimicrobial activity, cathelicidin has been shown to have chemoattractant and angiogenic properties. Recent research has demonstrated that, in addition to its aforementioned functions, cathelicidin plays an important role in the complex pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory skin diseases. This review will present a concise overview of the role of cathelicidin in infection and in the development of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and rosacea. This understanding will direct future research efforts to identify therapeutic approaches that use cathelicidin as a novel drug itself, or aim to modify its expression and regulation.