Acne Inversa: Evaluating Antimicrobial Peptides and Proteins.
- Author:
Falk G BECHARA
1
;
Michael SAND
;
Marina SKRYGAN
;
Alexander KREUTER
;
Peter ALTMEYER
;
Thilo GAMBICHLER
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Antimicrobial peptides; Hidradenitis suppurativa; Human beta-defensin; LL-37; Ribonuclease 7
- MeSH: Acne Vulgaris; Axilla; Biopsy; Cytokines; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Humans; Immune System; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukin-6; Interleukin-8; Interleukins; Leg Ulcer; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1; Peptide Hydrolases; Peptides; Perineum; Proteins; Ribonucleases; RNA, Messenger; Skin; Skin Diseases; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Up-Regulation
- From:Annals of Dermatology 2012;24(4):393-397
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: Acne inversa is a chronic, suppurative relapsing inflammatory skin disease that primarily affects the axillae, perineum and inframammary regions. Evidence suggests that the innate immune system is involved in the pathogenesis of acne inversa. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of the innate immune system in acne inversa. METHODS: Skin biopsies were obtained from inflammatory skin lesions (n=17) and from non-lesional skin (intraindividual control, n=17) of patients with acne inversa. Additional skin lesions were taken from patients with chronic venous leg ulcers (interindividual control, n=5). Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the mRNA levels of antimicrobial peptides and proteins (AMPs), including human beta-defensin (hBD)-1, hBD-2 and hBD-3, LL-37 (cathelicidin) and Ribonuclease 7 (RNase 7). mRNA levels were also determined for inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10. RESULTS: The mRNA levels of hBD-2, LL-37, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and MMP1 were significantly higher in acne inversa lesions compared to non-lesional skin (p<0.05). A significant positive correlation expression was observed between hBD-2 mRNA expression and LL-37 (rho=0.53, p=0.03), and between hBD-2 and RNAse 7 (rho=0.68, p=0.006). When compared to the chronic venous leg ulcer lesions, acne inversa lesions showed a significantly higher expression of RNase 7 mRNA, while IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha and MMP1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the chronic venous leg ulcer lesions (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The AMP, cytokine milieu and tissue proteases in acne inversa lesions differ significantly from non-lesional skin and chronic venous leg ulcers. The positively correlating up-regulation of AMPs in acne inversa indicates an important role of the innate immune system in the pathogenesis of this disorder.
