Human beta-defensin-2 and psoriasin are overexpressed in lesions of acne inversa.

BACKGROUND

Acne inversa is a chronic inflammatory disorder of apocrine gland-bearing skin. The role of the innate immune system in the pathogenesis of the disease is controversial.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the expression of antimicrobial peptide/proteins in acne inversa.

METHODS

Tissue samples were obtained from patients with acne inversa and compared with normal-appearing skin. The expression of psoriasin and human beta-defensin (hBD)-2 on messenger RNA and protein level was analyzed.

RESULTS

Both messenger RNA and protein levels of psoriasin and hBD-2 were significantly increased in acne inversa. Macrophages expressing hBD-2 were found in the dermis.

LIMITATIONS: Small sample size is a limitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Antimicrobial peptide/proteins are overexpressed in acne inversa lesions as compared with normal-appearing skin. The site of the major expression depends on the particular antimicrobial peptide/protein. Psoriasin is overexpressed in epidermal keratinocytes whereas hBD-2 is produced mainly by dermal macrophages, leaving a relative deficiency of hBD-2 in the epidermis of acne inversa lesions.