ARTICLE SOURCE: European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2013

Propionobacterium acnes: an update on its role in the pathogenesis of acne

Critique review by Jamie Ayana C. Bernardo

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics

Authors Affiliation Educators can use this article for effective

material as reference in teaching.
C. Beylot (Bordeaux, France), N. Auffret (Paris,
France), F. Poli (Paris, France), J.-P. Claudel Through knowing P. acnes, young adults and
(Tours, France), M.- Dermatologists can improve their comprehension
in treating acne.
T. Leccia (Clinique de Dermatologie, CHU A
Michallon, Grenoble, France), P. Del Giudice Publishers and Media can use this to improve
(CH Intercommunal de their reading materials for reading articles related
in acne.
Frejus – St Raphael, Dermatologie –
Infectiologie, Frejus, France), B. Dreno (Hotel Other researchers can use this study to exponent
Dieu, Nantes, France)* their future researches.

*Correspondence: B. Dreno. E-mail: Methodology

brigitte.dreno@wanadoo.fr
Objective of the Study
The purpose of this study is to provide better
understanding of the role and function of P. acnes
in giving new knowledge and perspective in the
development and treatment of acne.
Significance of the Study
This article about inflammatory activity of P.
acnes and how it leads to the development of acne
will benefit the following:
Literature search method, the databases was
conducted between January 1980 and March
2013 with a total of 188 articles being selected
and analyzed 77 articles.
Skin Microbiome
There are permanent and non-permanent group of
microorganisms classified as genome on the
surface of stratum corneum. P. acnes represent
20%-70% of the permanent group making it
predominant in sebaceous sites. Skin anatomy,
composition of lipids in the cutaneous film, pH,
sweat, and sebum secretion are some of the
multiple factors correlating with the predominant
microbiome.
P. acnes genome
Single cellular chromosome is present in P. acnes,
coding approximately 2333 genes. The complete
genome encodes for a definite variety of genes
involved in the biosynthesis of biofilm, such as
glycotransferase and polysaccharide biosynthesis
proteins.
Identification and isolation of P. acnes
P. acnes was isolated using skin surface biopsy
for the characteristics of a follicle and the punch
biopsy for a whole follicle analysis. The first
classification of P. acne is based on gene
sequences and identifies two phenotypes (Type I
and II) while the second classification system is
based on biological characteristics.
Biofilm and P. acnes
The process of biofilm formation is considered as
a factor in the pathogenesis of acne. This process
results in an alteration of the phenotype of the
organisms with respect to their growth rate and
gene transcription. Microorganisms irreversibly
attach and grow on a surface and produce
extracellular polymers facilitating adherence and
matrix formation leading to the binding f
corneocytes resulting in microcomedones. While
producing more extracellular lipases, cells that
covered with P. acnes biofilm were more resistant
to antimicrobial agents.
Innate immunity
An acquired or genetic abnormality in the
activation of some of the innate immunity
markers may also be involved in the development
of severe inflammatory acne lesions.
TLRs (toll-like receptors) – are transmembrane
receptors detecting the invasion by exogenous
pathogens.
AMP (antimicrobial peptides) – a strong
antimicrobial activity against bacteria, virus and
fungal infections with low molecular weight of
proteins. Acts as a bind in in proinflammatory
species secreted by bacteria and inhibiting the
secretion of proinflammatory cytokines.
PAR (protease-activated receptors) – the effect
regulates encoding of several proinflammatory
cytokines genes as well as of MMPS.
MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) – Upregulation
of genes involved not only in inflammation but
also in the remodeling of the matrix. The
proliferation of P. acnes in acne lesions induce an
increase in MMP secretion enhancing the rupture
of the follicle and the spread of the inflammation
in the dermis.
P. acnes and keratinocytes
P. acnes has been isolated from comedones. Its
ability to modulate the expression of genes
coding keratinocytes proteins implicated in the
terminal differentiation of the dermis. proteins of
keratinocytes were mediated by integrins.
P. acnes and the sebaceous gland
P. acnes stimulates the production of sebum in the
sebaceous gland and sebum synthesis via
corticotropin-releasing hormone system
increasing the lipogenic of human sebocytes.
Result and Discussion
Therapeutic perspective
Understanding the role and mechanism of P.
acnes for the development of innovative
treatments.
about the issue. Other thing is that, the author
should provide more details for someone not
familiar with the scientific terms but is tolerable
by searching for other reference material. The
good thing is, they managed to keep the paper
precise.
Conclusion
Propinobacterium plays an important role in acne
that is commonly found on the skin, pores and
hair follicles. The findings are of major
importance at the teenage where the sebaceous

Target therapy against innate immunity receptors glands enlarge due to hormonal influences and

(TLR and PAR) – topical and systematic retinoids the number of P. acnes increases in the sebaceous

as well as systematic zinc gluconate modulate follicle. Therefore, teenagers have a greater

TLR expressed by keratinocytes or monocytes chance to develop mild acne, whereas other may

and pathways inducing a decrease. develop moderate, severe or not at all.

AMP

There are several types of AMPs: defensins and

cathelicidins are under therapeutic evaluation.
Identification of vaccine target as natural
antibodies can be generated against:

 P. acnes exocellular enzymes

 Cell wall such as sugar or carbohydates
 Membrane binding proteins in acne
patients

The firs target was the membrane sialidase and

the second target protein was the CAMP factor.

Comment

The article is clear, giving a broad discussion of

the topic to further give knowledge to the reader