Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common pruritic and chronically relapsing inflammatory skin
disease. The pathophysiology of AD includes disturbed skin barrier functions, frequent
allergic responses against allergens, defects in the antimicrobial immune defense, and a
genetic predisposition. In this review we summarize advances in our understanding of the
complex interdependent network of members of the rapidly growing protein superfamilies of
cytokines and chemokines that lead to the development of AD.