Acne vulgaris, a multifactorial disease, mostly heals by scarring. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), a proinflammatory cytokine, may have a key role in acne pathogenesis.

The present study investigated the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of IL-1β in acne vulgaris and acne scars to evaluate its possible role in their pathogenesis and the relation between the expression of IL-1β and the clinicopathological parameters.

This study included 60 subjects (20 with acne vulgaris and 20 with acne scars) and 20 healthy volunteers as controls. It collected skin biopsies from patients and controls for routine histopathological examination with hematoxylin and eosin stain and IHC staining of IL-1β.

The study observed:

• A statistically significant increase in the expression of IL-1β in acne vulgaris compared with post-acne scars and controls for both.
• A significant positive correlation between IL-1β expression and clinical severity of acne vulgaris and severity of histopathological inflammation.

This study shows an association of IL-1β expression with acne vulgaris and post-acne scars with a significant positive correlation to clinical and histopathological severity of acne vulgaris. Hence, explaining the role of IL-1β cytokine in acne pathogenesis, its severity and the development of post-acne scars.

Source: ElAttar Y, Mourad B, Alngomy HA, et al. Study of interleukin-1 beta expression in acne vulgaris and acne scars. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(10):4864-70.