Alterations in Epidermal Stem Cells Within the Pilosebaceous Unit in Atrophic Acne Scars
February 2024
in “
Australasian journal of dermatology
”
epidermal stem cells pilosebaceous unit atrophic acne scars collagen elastic fibers HLA-DR inflammatory acne lesions CD34 p63 LGR6 LGR5 interfollicular epidermis adnexal structures skin stem cells hair follicle unit acne scars skin collagen skin elastic fibers immune marker acne inflammation stem cell marker skin epidermis skin structures
TLDR Inflammatory acne damages skin stem cells and reduces their growth, leading to atrophic acne scars.
The study investigates the role of epidermal stem cells in the development of atrophic acne scars. Researchers analyzed changes in collagen, elastic fibers, and HLA-DR expression in normal skin and inflammatory acne lesions over time. They found that inflammation progressively infiltrates the pilosebaceous units, leading to the destruction of their normal structure and a reduction in collagen and elastic fibers. Additionally, the expression of stem cell markers (CD34, p63, LGR6, and LGR5) and epidermal proliferation were significantly decreased in atrophic acne scar tissue compared to normal skin. These findings suggest that inflammation disrupts the normal regeneration of the interfollicular epidermis and adnexal structures, resulting in atrophic acne scars.
