The role of neuropeptides in the multifactorial pathogenesis of acne vulgaris

Abstract

Background Central or peripheral stress may induce the development of clinical inflammation in the pilosebaceous unit (PSU) leading to the development or to exacerbation of pre-existing acne. The presence of a complete corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) system  has been confirmed in human sebocytes in vitro. CRH is capable to induce lipid synthesis, steroidogenesis and interact with testosterone and growth hormone. α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and its receptors can regulate melanogenesis as well as affect inflammation, apoptosis, and sebogenesis.

Objectives The purpose of the study was to investigate by immunohistochemistry if changes of CRH/CRH-binding protein (CRHBP)/CRH receptors (CRHR) as well as melanocortin-1 receptor (MC-1R) expression are detectable in acne lesions vs normal skin, especially in the sebaceous gland (SG).

Methods 33 patients with acne vulgaris and 8 age-matched volunteers without acne participated in the study. Skin biopsies were taken from acne-involved face, the non-involved thigh skin of the same patients and from normal human skin.

Results Very strong expression of CRH was observed in acne-involved skin in SG cells comparing with weaker expression in non-involved and normal skin SG. The strongest reaction for CRHBP in acne-involved SG was in differentiating sebocytes. CRHR-1 and –2 exhibited the strongest expression in sweat glands and SG, respectively. Sebocytes and cells of the ductus seboglandularis (DSG) of acne-involved and non-involved skin showed very intense MC-1R expression in contrast to less intense scattered immunoreactivity in normal skin samples.

Conclusions These data suggest that NP, such as the complete CRH system and MC-1R, are involved in the pathogenesis of acne.