[Modern aspects of acne pathogenesis]

Abstract

Background: Acne is worldwide the most common skin disease.

Methods: Suitable therapeutic regimens of the varying clinical phenotypes require good knowledge of the pathogenesis of the illness.

Results and conclusions: Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disorder at whose emergence androgens, PPAR ligands, regulating neuropeptides and environmental factors are probably involved. These factors interrupt the natural cycling process in the sebaceous gland follicle and support the transition of microcomedones to comedones and inflammatory lesions. Proinflammatory lipids, chemokines and cytokines overtake the role of mediators for the development of acne lesions. Bacterial antigens can potentate the inflammatory phenomena.