Acne-associated syndromes: models for better understanding of acne pathogenesis

• Published in: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Vol. 25; no. 6; pp. 637 - 646
• Main Authors: Chen, W, Obermayer-Pietsch, B, Hong, J-B, Melnik, BC, Yamasaki, O, Dessinioti, C, Ju, Q, Liakou, AI, Al-Khuzaei, S, Katsambas, A, Ring, J, Zouboulis, CC
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2011
• Subjects: Acanthosis Nigricans - complications; Acanthosis Nigricans - drug therapy; Acanthosis Nigricans - surgery; acne; Acne Vulgaris - complications; Acne Vulgaris - drug therapy; Acne Vulgaris - etiology; Acquired Hyperostosis Syndrome - complications; Acrocephalosyndactylia - complications; Acrocephalosyndactylia - genetics; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital - complications; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital - drug therapy; Alopecia - complications; Apert syndrome; Arthritis, Infectious - complications; Arthritis, Infectious - drug therapy; Dermatitis, Seborrheic - complications; Female; Hirsutism - complications; Humans; Hyperandrogenism - complications; Hyperandrogenism - drug therapy; Hyperandrogenism - surgery; Insulin Resistance; PAPA syndrome; PCO syndrome; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - complications; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - drug therapy; Pyoderma Gangrenosum - complications; Pyoderma Gangrenosum - drug therapy; SAPHO syndrome; Syndrome
• ISSN: 0926-9959; 1468-3083
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03937.x

Acne, one of the most common skin disorders, is also a cardinal component of many systemic diseases or syndromes. Their association illustrates the nature of these diseases and is indicative of the pathogenesis of acne. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and seborrhoea‐acne‐hirsutism‐androgenetic alopecia (SAHA) syndrome highlight the role of androgen steroids, while polycystic ovary (PCO) and hyperandrogenism‐insulin resistance‐acanthosis nigricans (HAIR‐AN) syndromes indicate insulin resistance in acne. Apert syndrome with increased fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) signalling results in follicular hyperkeratinization and sebaceous gland hypertrophy in acne. Synovitis‐acne‐pustulosis‐hyperostosis‐osteitis (SAPHO) and pyogenic arthritis‐pyoderma gangrenosum‐acne (PAPA) syndromes highlight the attributes of inflammation to acne formation. Advances in the understanding of the manifestation and molecular mechanisms of these syndromes will help to clarify acne pathogenesis and develop novel therapeutic modalities.