Lipid Droplets Proteins in Acne Skin. A sound target for the maintenance of low comedogenic sebum and acne-prone skin health.

ABSTRACT In adipocytes and sebocytes, lipid droplet proteins (LDP) control the storage of lipids in organised droplets and their release upon demand. The contribution of LDP to the pathogenesis of acne is plausible, because they control the levels of comedogenic free fatty acids. Expression of two LDP, CIDEA and PLIN2, was analysed in the skin of acne patients by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The design of clinical protocols allowed correlating the expression of CIDEA and PLIN2 with both comedogenesis and the release of free fatty acids. Both proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry in the sebaceous glands of acne patients, with a disturbed expression pattern of PLIN2 as compared to controls. Higher levels of PLIN2 and CIDEA, as detected by Western blotting in the infundibulum, significantly correlated with lower ongoing comedogenesis over 48 weeks of Silymarium marianum fruit extract application. Accordingly, free fatty-acid release from sebum triglycerides was significantly decreased, as shown with two distinct methods. The data are consistent with the expected role of PLIN2 and CIDEA in the prevention of comedogenic free fatty acid release. Modulation of PLIN2 and CIDEA expression appears as a sound target for the maintenance of low comedogenic sebum and acne-prone skin health.