One remarkable molecule: filaggrin

Sara J. Brown, W. H. Irwin McLean

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    423 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The discovery, in 2006, that loss-of-function mutations in the filaggrin (FLG) gene are the cause of ichthyosis vulgaris-the most common disorder of keratinization-and also a strong genetic risk factor for atopic eczema, marked a significant breakthrough in the understanding of eczema pathogenesis. Subsequent investigations of the role of FLG-null mutations have identified a series of significant associations with atopic disease phenotypes, including atopic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and peanut allergy. However, many questions remain to be answered in relation to the precise mechanisms by which deficiency of an intracellular protein expressed primarily in the differentiating epidermis may contribute to the development of cutaneous and systemic pathology. This review aims to highlight the key milestones in filaggrin research over the past 25 years, to discuss the mechanistic, clinical, and therapeutic implications, and to consider possible future directions for ongoing investigation.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)751-762
    Number of pages12
    JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology
    Volume132
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Mar 2012

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'One remarkable molecule: filaggrin'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this