The Pathogenesis of Acne
Title: The pathogenesis of acne
Author: Knor T
Publication: Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. 2005;13(1):44-9.
The author recounted the significant factors of acne: enlargement
of the follicle, increased sebum production, presence of Propionium
acnes (P. acnes) bacteria, and inflammation. Enlarged follicle
and sebum production creates microcomedones or acne lesion, which
results in growth of P. acnes, which in turn releases factors
that promote inflammation. These factors include:
- Lipases (enzymes that break down lipids or fat)
- Proteases (enzymes that breakdown proteins)
- Hyaluronidases (enzymes that breakdown hyaluronic acid and
increase tissue permeability in the body)
- Chemotactic factors (a chemotactic factor is a chemical that
orient a cell toward or away from it)
The body’s immune response includes cell-mediated and blood-based
immune reactions, and complement activation (a complex immune
reaction process, involving a series of serum proteins that result
in destruction of a marked cell and other profound effects).
Recent studies indicate that the immune system cells may be activated
by the P. acnes binding to toll-like receptors (TLRs) and CD14
molecules. Other molecules such as CD1 may also recognize altered
lipid content in the sebum, and production of inflammatory cytokines
follows.
