Periostin is a 90-kDa member of the fasciclin-containing family and functions as part of the extracellular matrix. Periostin is expressed in a variety of tissues and expression is increased in airway epithelial cells from asthmatic patients. Recent studies have implicated a role for periostin in allergic eosinophilic esophagitis. To further define a role for periostin in Th2-mediated inflammatory diseases such as asthma, we studied the development of allergic pulmonary inflammation in periostin-deficient mice. Sensitization and challenge of periostin-deficient mice with OVA resulted in increased peripheral Th2 responses compared with control mice. In the lungs, periostin deficiency resulted in increased airway resistance and significantly enhanced mucus production by goblet cells concomitant with increased expression of Gob5 and Muc5ac compared with wild type littermates. Periostin also inhibited the expression of Gob5, a putative calcium-activated chloride channel involved in the regulation of mucus production, in primary murine airway epithelial cells. Our studies suggest that periostin may be part of a negative-feedback loop regulating allergic inflammation that could be therapeutic in the treatment of atopic disease.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a steadily increasing prevalence affecting 10%-20% of infants and 1%-3% of adults globally. It is often the first clinical manifestation of atopic disease preceding asthma and allergic rhinitis. At least half of the children with AD develop some other form of atopic disease later in life. The pathogenesis of AD involves a complex interplay of factors, including genetic predisposition due to altered immune or skin barrier function, interactions with the environment, and infectious triggers of inflammation. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in understanding the contribution of different factors in the pathophysiology of AD in human and animal model systems. These insights provide new therapeutic potential for the treatment of human AD.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a steadily increasing prevalence affecting 10-20 % of infants and 1-3% of adults globally. It is often the first clinical manifestation of atopic disease preceding asthma and allergic rhinitis. Probably half of the children with atopic dermatitis develop some other form of atopic disease later in life. The pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of factors including genetic predisposition due to altered immune or skin barrier function, interactions with the environment such as food and allergen exposures, and infectious triggers of inflammation. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in understanding the contribution of different factors in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis and how insights provide new therapeutic potential for its treatment. Keywords: Asthma; Atopic Dermatitis, Eczema; Eosinophils; Genetics; Immunoglobulin E; Keratinocytes; Rhinitis, T-Lymphocytes Resumo: A dermatite atópica é uma doença cutânea inflamatória crônica cuja prevalência tem aumentado de forma constante, afetando 10-20% dos lactentes e 1-3% dos adultos em todo o mundo. Ela é freqüentemente a primeira manifestação clínica de doença atópica, precedendo a asma e a rinite alérgica. Provavelmente metade das crianças com dermatite atópica desenvolvem alguma