Biomarkers Predictive of Atopic Dermatitis

1 . A method of predicting a propensity of an individual to develop atopic dermatitis, comprising:

a) observing the expression of a biomarker selected from hBD1, IL1RA, IL36g and 5100A8/9 or a combination thereof on a skin area;

b) comparing said expression to determined standard, wherein said determined standard is ascertained by measuring a level of said biomarker in a subject or pool of subjects who have demonstrated an absence of atopic dermatitis; and

c) determining the propensity of an individual to develop atopic dermatitis,

wherein an increase in the expression as compared to said determined standard indicates propensity of said individual to develop atopic dermatitis.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the individual is selected from the group consisting of infants and young children.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the skin is selected from face skin and body skin.

4 . A method for evaluating the efficacy of a skin treatment regimen, ingredient and/or composition to treat atopic dermatitis, comprising:

(a) measuring the level of hBD1, IL1RA, IL36g and 5100A8/9 on an area of skin prior to application of the skin treatment regimen, ingredient and/or composition;

(b) applying the skin treatment regimen, ingredient and/or composition to the area of skin for a period of time;

(c) measuring the level of hBD1, IL1RA, IL36g and 5100A8/9 after the skin treatment regimen, ingredient and/or composition application on the area of skin;

wherein the skin treatment regimen, ingredient and/or composition is beneficial to the skin if the level of the hBD1, IL1RA, IL36g and 5100A8/9 is less than or equal to the no treatment control.

5 . A method of predicting a propensity of an individual to develop atopic dermatitis, comprising:

a) observing the expression of at least one skin microbe species selected from those in Table 2 on a skin area;

b) comparing said expression to a determined standard, wherein said determined standard is ascertained by measuring a level of said at least one skin microbe in a subject or pool of subjects who have demonstrated an absence of atopic dermatitis; and

c) determining the propensity of an individual to develop atopic dermatitis,

wherein an increase in the expression as compared to said determined standard indicates propensity of said individual to develop atopic dermatitis.

6 . A method of predicting a propensity of an individual to develop atopic dermatitis, comprising:

a) observing total amino acid content on a skin area;

b) comparing said total amino acid content to a determined standard, wherein said determined standard is ascertained by measuring a level of said total amino acid content in a subject or pool of subjects who have demonstrated an absence of atopic dermatitis; and

c) determining the propensity of an individual to develop atopic dermatitis,

wherein a decrease in total amino acid content as compared to said determined standard indicates propensity of said individual to develop atopic dermatitis.

7 . A method of predicting a propensity of an individual to develop atopic dermatitis, comprising:

a) observing two or more parameters selected from the group consisting of (i) the expression of a biomarker selected from hBD1, IL1RA, IL36g and S100A8/9 or a combination thereof on a skin area; (ii) the expression of at least one skin microbe species selected from those in Table 2 on a skin area; and (iii) the total amino acid content on a skin area;

b) comparing said two or more parameters to a determined standard for each of said two or more parameters, wherein each of said determined standards is ascertained by measuring a level of said respective parameter in a subject or pool of subjects who have demonstrated an absence of atopic dermatitis; and

c) determining the propensity of an individual to develop atopic dermatitis,

wherein a change in said parameter as compared to said determined standard indicates propensity of said individual to develop atopic dermatitis.