Abstract
Immunology Vitamin A is an essential fat-soluble micronutrient that regulates immune function through its derivative, retinoic acid. One role of retinoic acid is to control skin infection and inflammation. Harris et al. report that dietary vitamin A regulates the expression of the antimicrobial protein RELMα in the skin. RELMα, which is induced by the skin microbiota, can kill bacteria by disrupting their membranes. Mice lacking RELMα have an altered skin microbiota composition and an enhanced susceptibility to certain bacterial infections. The work shows how vitamin A analogs so effectively treat skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. Cell Host Microbe 25 , 777 (2019).
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