Stratum corneum biomarkers for inflammatory skin diseases

This thesis focusses on development of biomarkers, obtained by a non-invasive sampling method, for skin inflammatory diseases relevant for occupational settings; irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and atopic dermatitis (AD).
In various studies, in which different methods were used, several biomarkers related to the skin barrier function and local inflammation were investigated. These biomarkers include: filaggrin degradation products known as natural moisturizing factors (NMF), corneocyte morphology quantified in a dermal topographical index (DTI) and a large set of inflammatory mediators.
The developed biomarkers have been applied to monitor therapy efficacy, assessment of disease severity and to differentiate ICD from ACD. Next to their use in clinical practice, the biomarkers were used to provide more insight in the role of skin barrier malfunction and local inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of these skin disorders.