Adipose-derived stem cells attenuate acne-related inflammation via suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome

Abstract

Background Acne is a chronic facial disease caused by Propionibacterium acnes, which proliferates within sebum-blocked skin follicles and increases inflammatory cytokine production. Several therapeutic drugs and products have been proposed to treat acne, yet no single treatment that ensures long-term treatment efficacy for all patients is available. Here, we explored the use of facial autologous fat transplant of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to dramatically reduce acne lesions. Methods THP-1 cells were treated with active P. acnes for 24 h at different multiplicities of infection, and alterations in inflammatory factors were detected. To study the effect of THP-1 on inflammasome-related proteins, we first co-cultured ADSCs with THP-1 cells treated with P. acnes and evaluated the levels of these proteins in the supernatant. Further, an acne mouse model injected with ADSCs was used to assess inflammatory changes. Results Propionibacterium acnes-mediated stimulation of THP-1 cells had a direct correlation with the expression of active caspase-1 and interleukin (IL)-1β in an infection-dependent manner. ADSCs significantly reduced the production of IL-1β induced by P. acnes stimulation through the reactive oxygen species (ROS)/Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1 pathway. The results showed that ADSCs inhibit the skin inflammation induced by P. acnes by blocking the NLRP3 inflammasome via reducing the secretion of IL-1β in vivo. Conclusions Our findings suggest that ADSCs can alter IL-1β secretion by restricting the production of mitochondria ROS, thereby inhibiting the NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway in P. acnes-induced inflammatory responses. This study indicates that anti‐acne therapy can potentially be developed by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Neutrophil extracellular trap-related mechanisms in acne vulgaris inspire a novel treatment strategy with adipose-derived stem cells

“…For instance, Zhao et al demonstrated that the injection of autologous subdermal stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF) into facial areas, significantly attenuated P. acnes -related inflammation 22 . Besides, Li et al demonstrated that the local injection of ADSCs inhibited P.acnes -related inflammation by inhibiting IL-1β secretion of macrophages in mouse ears 16 . These two papers mainly elucidate that ADSCs and containing-ADSCs SVF, were able to inhibit acne vulgaris feature by modulating the microenvironmental inflammatory response.…”

“…After 24 h, the P. acnes + ADSCs group was subcutaneously injected with 50 μL ADSC suspension (10 8 /mL in PBS) into the middle of the auricle. The specific concentrations of P. acnes and ADSC were determined on the basis of previous studies 15 , 16 . For comparison, the control and P. acnes groups were injected with 50 μL PBS.…”