Skin surfactant proteins: Presence and potential defense functions

Abstract

For many years the barrier function of the skin has been considered to reside in the unique structural properties of the stratum corneum. However, this is only part of the story, as the skin’s defense against its environment is biological as well as physical. The body’s innate immune system evolved to first recognize pathogens and then eradicate them, a basic survival mechanism to prevent the host being overrun with microbial infections. Over 10 years ago, we were introduced to the concept that perhaps peptides with antimicrobial activities were also naturally present in the skin of humans (1).