Short-Chain Fatty Acids from Cutibacterium Acnes Activate Both a Canonical and Epigenetic Inflammatory Response in Human Sebocytes

March 2019 in “ The journal of immunology/The Journal of immunology ”

James A. Sanford, Alan M. O’Neill, Christos C. Zouboulis, Richard L. Gallo

short-chain fatty acids Cutibacterium acnes sebocytes inflammatory response acne vulgaris histone deacetylase HDAC fatty acid receptors cytokine response TLR-2 activation microbial metabolites skin inflammation SCFAs C. acnes acne HDAC inhibitors toll-like receptor 2

TLDR Short-chain fatty acids from *Cutibacterium acnes* cause skin inflammation, contributing to acne.

The study demonstrated that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by *Cutibacterium acnes* activated both canonical and epigenetic inflammatory responses in human sebocytes, contributing to the shift from immune tolerance to inflammation in the skin, which could be fundamental in acne vulgaris. SCFAs influenced sebocyte behavior by inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and activating fatty acid receptors, enhancing cytokine response to TLR-2 activation and mimicking acne lesion transcriptional profiles. The findings highlighted the role of microbial metabolites in skin inflammation and suggested potential therapeutic targets for acne. Future studies with primary human sebocytes and genetic mouse models were recommended.

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