title: Exploring Valrubicin's Effect on Propionibacterium Acnes-Induced Skin Inflammation in Vitro and in Vivo.
abstract: Acne is a common skin disease involving colonization with Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), hyperproliferation of the follicular epithelium and inflammatory events. Valrubicin is a second-generation anthracycline, non-toxic upon contact, and available in a topical formulation. Valrubicin's predecessor doxorubicin possesses antibacterial effects and previously we demonstrated that valrubicin inhibits keratinocyte proliferation and skin inflammation suggesting beneficial topical treatment of acne with valrubicin. This study aims to investigate valrubicin's possible use in acne treatment by testing valrubicin's antibacterial effects against P. acnes and P. acnes-induced skin inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Valrubicin was demonstrated not to possess antibacterial effects against P. acnes. Additionally, valrubicin was demonstrated not to reduce mRNA and protein expression levels of the inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in vitro in human keratinocytes co-cultured with P. acnes. Moreover, in vivo, valrubicin, applied both topically and intra-dermally, was not able to reduce signs of inflammation in mouse ears intra-dermally injected with P. acnes. Taken together, this study does not support beneficial antibacterial and anti inflammatory effects of topical valrubicin treatment of acne.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rottboell
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Foenss
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital.
authors.forename: Helle
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital.
authors.forename: Stine M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Roskilde Hospital , Denmark.
authors.forename: Tomas N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Dam
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosada
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stenderup
keywords: Propionibacterium acnes; acne; mouse model; skin inflammation; valrubicin