IMMUNOLOGY (HC LIMA, SECTION EDITOR) The Skin-Resident Immune Network

# The Author(s) 2013. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract The skin provides an effective physical and biolog-ical barrier against environmental and pathogenic insults whilst ensuring tolerance against commensal microbes. This protection is afforded by the unique anatomy and cellular composition of the skin, particularly the vast network of skin-associated immune cells. These include the long-appreciated tissue-resident macrophages, dendritic cells, and mast cells, as well as the more recently described dermal γδ T cells and innate lymphoid cells. Collectively, these cells or-chestrate the defense against a wide range of pathogens and environmental challenges, but also perform a number of ho-meostatic functions. Here, we review recent developments in our understanding of the various roles that leukocyte subsets play in cutaneous immunobiology, and introduce the newer members of the skin immune system. Implications for human disease are discussed