Highlights from the 68th Annual Meeting of the Society of Investigative Dermatology

The 68th Annual Meeting of the Society of Investigative Dermatology in 2007 presented over 900 papers, with key findings in various areas of dermatology. Research highlighted the role of human vitamin D3-induced antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the dependence on the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin, and the role of interleukin (IL)-15 in this process. The function of cathelicidin in atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis patients was also explored, suggesting potential treatment options. Other topics included Toll-like receptors and cancer, interleukin-1ẞ in the inflammasome, interleukin-23 and psoriasis, and gene therapy for epidermolysis bullosa. Notably, George Cotsarelis presented findings on hair follicle regeneration following re-epithelialization after wounding in mice, which was dependent on the Wnt signaling pathway, suggesting a potential for clinical management of alopecia. Other presentations covered topics such as melanoma genotyping, UVB-induced photocarcinogenesis, and the role of telomeres in genetic stability.