Document Type
Article
Source of Publication
Frontiers in Microbiology
Publication Date
5-15-2026
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial skin disorder characterized by immune dysregulation, impaired epidermal barrier, and strong microbial imbalance. Although genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers are established AD drivers, growing evidence highlights the gut skin axis as an important but underexplored AD pathogenesis factor. Gut microbiota dysbiosis, loss of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, and altered metabolite profiles, such as tryptophan derivatives and secondary bile acids, have been linked to systemic immune imbalance and skin inflammation. However, the precise mechanism by which gut microbial alterations influence cutaneous immunity remains unclear. This review synthesizes recent advances from clinical and experimental studies to delineate how the gut microbiota and their metabolites shape the immune response, regulate the integrity of the epithelial barrier, and modulate AD severity. By integrating emerging insights into early-life microbial colonization, metabolite-mediated immune programming, and therapeutic interventions, including prebiotics, probiotics, and microbial-derived metabolites, the current gaps and the translational potential of targeting the gut- skin axis. The knowledge consolidated here advances our understanding of AD beyond skin-focused perspectives and highlights new avenues for microbiome-based preventive and therapeutic strategies.
DOI Link
ISSN
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Volume
17
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
Keywords
atopic dermatitis, epithelial barrier integrity, gut microbiota dysbiosis, gut-skin axis, immune dysregulation, microbial metabolites
Scopus ID
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Alia, Khushbakhat; Khan, Hira; Muzaffar, Hamna; Perveen, Nighat; Alrashedi, Sara; Al Dhaheri, Yusra; Waheed, Yasir; Alam, Mohammed Tauqeer; Naseem, Muhammad; and Muhammad, Khalid, "Gut dysbiosis and microbial metabolites in atopic dermatitis: implications for immune regulation along gut-skin axis" (2026). All Works. 8267.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/8267
Indexed in Scopus
yes
Open Access
yes
Open Access Type
Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series