Cytokines and the Skin

Cytokines are proteins released by cells of the immune system that regulate how certain other cells or tissues respond. They are produced by a wide range of cells, including skin cells, and are important for many aspects of skin physiology and homeostasis. Cytokines not only function as mediators of communication between cells of the immune system, but they also regulate the functions of skin cells such as migration, differentiation, and proliferation. In addition, cytokines are involved in wound healing and inflammation in the skin. They are essential to the normal development, growth and repair of skin tissue. Deficiencies in cytokine production and signaling have been linked to various skin diseases, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.