Specific propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) phylotypes influence distinct immune responses, according to a recent study. Researchers sought to determine if distinct phylotypes, several of which have associations with healthy skin or acne, induce different immunological responses and express protein factors that may contribute to their disease associations. They found:

• Acne-associated P. acnes phylotypes induced 2- to 3-fold higher levels of IFN-y and IL-17 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells compared to healthy phylotypes.

• On the other hand, P. acnes phylotypes associated with healthy skin induced 2- to 4-fold higher levels of IL-10.

• Comparative proteomic analysis of P. acnes phylotypes revealed a differential expression of several proteins, including an adhesion protein that was expressed at least 10-fold higher in acne-associated phylotypes and a cell surface hydrolase expressed in all phylotypes except those associated with healthy skin.

Citation: Yu Y, Champer J, Agak GW, Kao S, Modlin RL, Kim J. Different propionibacterium acnes phylotypes induce distinct immune responses and express unique surface and secreted proteomes. [Published online ahead of print July 1, 2016]. J Invest Dermatol. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2016.06.615.