Lipidomics reveals skin surface lipid abnormity in acne in young men

BackgroundAcne is a complex and multifactorial skin disorder. Alterations in skin surface lipid (SSL) are believed to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of acne and SSL plays a key role in the initiation of acne lesions. ObjectivesTo analyse the lipidome profiles of SSL in patients with acne and in healthy controls in order to understand SSL abnormity in acne in young men. MethodsUltraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) and multivariate data analysis were used to investigate the SSL variations in main lipid classes, subclasses and individual species. ResultsResults showed that there were significant differences in the lipidome between the two groups. Significantly increased levels of three main classes of glycerophospholipids, fatty acyls and sterol lipids and significantly decreased levels of two main classes of prenol lipids and saccharolipids were observed in patients with acne. Subsequent analysis showed that there were 18 subclasses, which varied significantly and shared the same changing trends of the main classes to which they belonged. Multivariate data analysis indicated that 36 individual species were mostly responsible for this discrimination and the majority of differentiating lipid species were phosphatidylserines. Furthermore, it was observed that the chain length of ceramides were reduced and unsaturated free fatty acids were increased in patients with acne. ConclusionsSSL sampled from young male patients with acne had significantly higher levels of phosphatidylserines. Additionally, the reduction in the chain length of ceramides and the increase in unsaturated free fatty acids contributed to an altered lipid organization and decreased skin barrier function in acne. What's already known about this topic? Modifications in skin surface lipid (SSL) are believed to be one of the most critical factors in the pathogenesis of acne. Cholesterol, wax esters and squalene are present in the SSL of patients with acne at higher levels than in controls, whereas lower levels of linoleic acid (and its precursor) have been reported in patients with acne. A decreased skin barrier function is an important feature of acne. What does this study add? In SSL samples from patients with acne and controls, phosphatidylserines were the most common differentiating lipid species. Exposure to phosphatidylserines could be an important event involved in the inflammation and apoptosis of acne lesions. The reduction in the chain length of ceramides and the increase in unsaturated free fatty acids contributes to an altered lipid organization and decreased skin barrier function in acne. Respond to this article