Human beta-defensin-2 and psoriasin are overexpressed in lesions of acne inversa.
BACKGROUND
Acne inversa is a chronic inflammatory disorder of apocrine gland-bearing skin. The role of the innate immune system in the pathogenesis of the disease is controversial.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated the expression of antimicrobial peptide/proteins in acne inversa.


METHODS
Tissue samples were obtained from patients with acne inversa and compared with normal-appearing skin. The expression of psoriasin and human beta-defensin (hBD)-2 on messenger RNA and protein level was analyzed.


RESULTS
Both messenger RNA and protein levels of psoriasin and hBD-2 were significantly increased in acne inversa. Macrophages expressing hBD-2 were found in the dermis.


CONCLUSIONS
Small sample size is a limitation.


CONCLUSIONS
Antimicrobial peptide/proteins are overexpressed in acne inversa lesions as compared with normal-appearing skin. The site of the major expression depends on the particular antimicrobial peptide/protein. Psoriasin is overexpressed in epidermal keratinocytes whereas hBD-2 is produced mainly by dermal macrophages, leaving a relative deficiency of hBD-2 in the epidermis of acne inversa lesions.
Schlapbach
Christoph
C
Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Yawalkar
Nikhil
N
Hunger
Robert E
RE
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D000075023:S100 Calcium Binding Protein A7; D009418:S100 Proteins; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000075023:S100 Calcium Binding Protein A7; D009418:S100 Proteins; C089242:S100A7 protein, human; D023083:beta-Defensins