Impaired Follicular Nrf2 Signaling: Potential Early Therapeutic Target in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting areas with terminal hair follicles and apocrine glands, exacerbated by oxidative stress factors like obesity and smoking. The study used indirect immunofluorescence to compare Nrf2 signaling in HS lesional skin (n=10) and healthy controls (n=4), finding reduced levels of Nrf2 and its inhibitor Keap1 in HS follicles. Additionally, the study identified upregulation of keratin 16 (K16) and keratin 6 (K6) in HS follicles, suggesting that impaired Nrf2 signaling may contribute to follicular hyperkeratinization and occlusion. These findings highlight the potential of targeting Nrf2 signaling as an early therapeutic intervention for HS.