The Inflammatory Basis of Acne Pathogenesis.

BACKGROUND

Acne is a common inflammatory and genetically influenced skin disease. Previous genome-wide association studies and epigenome-wide association studies have demonstrated that genetic factors constitute an important basis for acne susceptibility, while recurrent and persistent local inflammatory responses contribute to its chronic and relapsing nature.

SUMMARY: Infection with Cutibacterium acnes, activation of Toll-like receptors and the NLRP3 inflammasome, and dysregulation of the IL-6/STAT3 and Notch signaling pathways induce the release of inflammatory mediators and immune activation. These processes, together with genetic predisposition, participate in the core cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying acne pathogenesis.

KEY MESSAGES: This review systematically summarizes and analyzes how inflammation mediates the actions of key inflammatory factors and signaling pathways at the cellular, molecular, and genetic levels in acne development, providing new insights and theoretical foundations for the prevention and treatment of acne.