The human body is constantly exposed to pathogens. The skin is responsible for monitoring and protecting against external hazards.

The US scientists have described two enzymes responsible for protecting our skin and body from pathogens. These are histone deacetylases (HDACs) that suppress the inflammatory response in the skin.

According to Medical Express, these enzymes affect the chromosomal profile of specific skin cells that provide immune tolerance to the skin. These enzymes tell the cells of the body to ignore certain bacteria. In some situations, however, this mechanism can be disrupted, and then overly active skin reactions develop.

Within skin cells, proteins called toll-like receptors (TLRs) allow these cells to monitor their environment and sense potential dangers. In most organs, TLRs act as a warning system that triggers an inflammatory response in response to a threat. But in skin cells, two HDAC enzymes (HDAC8 and HDAC9) suppress the inflammatory response, adapting the body to its environment.