by In a significant breakthrough in the field of anti-acne therapies, a team of researchers from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, in collaboration with colleagues from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, has developed an acne vaccine that has shown promising results in reducing inflammation in a mouse acne model. The vaccine targets a specific variant of an enzyme produced by an acne-associated bacteria, while leaving the healthy bacterial enzyme unaffected.
Acne is a common skin condition that affects 70 to 80% of individuals at some point in their lives, with factors such as genetics, environment, and bacteria contributing to its development. The current treatments for acne are often generic and not targeted towards the specific causes of the condition.
The researchers aim to develop a therapy that addresses the root causes of acne, rather than simply blocking inflammation. By understanding how bacteria induce acne, they hope to create a single or combination vaccine that can effectively treat acne.
The research, which has been over a decade in the making, began with the investigation of a type of acne-associated bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). While C. acnes is present on everyone’s skin, only some people develop acne. The researchers identified two variants of an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which is produced by C. acnes. One variant, called HylA, is associated with acne, while the other variant, HylB, is associated with healthy skin.
Through their analysis, the team discovered that HylA exacerbates acne by causing inflammation, while HylB actually reduces inflammation and promotes healthy skin. The researchers found that the two variants originated from a common ancestor but evolved to have opposing effects. They also observed that HylA produces larger fragments of hyaluronic acid, leading to a more robust inflammatory response, while HylB produces smaller, anti-inflammatory fragments.
To target the acne-causing variant, the researchers developed therapeutic approaches, including a vaccine and inhibitors, that successfully reduced inflammation. By understanding the genetic factors of C. acnes, the researchers believe they can develop targeted treatments for acne.
This novel approach holds the potential to benefit a large number of acne patients, as there is currently no specific treatment available for this type of acne. The interdisciplinary and diverse nature of the research team has been instrumental in its success.
The researchers have previously developed a mouse model that closely resembles human acne, allowing them to directly compare different strains of bacteria. This model has enabled them to further fine-tune the use of selective HylA inhibitors and vaccines for acne therapeutics.
The preliminary success of this research is encouraging, and the researchers hope to create a product that could be life-changing for individuals who suffer from acne or are at risk of developing it. The targeted approach of this research has the potential to revolutionize acne therapies by offering more effective treatments while preserving the healthy skin microbiome.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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