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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
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Morphological and Compositional Analysis of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Induced by Microbial and Chemical Stimuli
Published on: November 4, 2022
Cutibacterium acnes induce T cell extracellular traps with distinct proteome programs.
Thao Tam To1, Min Deng1, Priscila R Andrade1
1Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|June 16, 2026
Summary
Cutibacterium acnes strains differentially affect immune cell extracellular traps (ETs). Healthy skin strains promote antimicrobial functions, while acne strains induce inflammation and tissue remodeling.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is a skin bacterium linked to acne.
- Extracellular traps (ETs) are released by immune cells to trap pathogens.
- Neutrophil (NETs) and Th17 cell (TETs) derived ETs play roles in immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if C. acnes strains from acne-prone skin (CA) and healthy skin (CH) differentially induce ETs in human neutrophils and Th17 cells.
- To define the proteomic and functional properties of strain- and cell type-specific ETs.
Main Methods:
- Stimulation of human neutrophils and Th17 cells with C. acnes strains.
- Proteomic analysis of induced ETs.
- Functional assays to assess antimicrobial and inflammatory activities.
- Gene ontology analysis.
Main Results:
- Both CA and CH strains induced ET release from neutrophils and Th17 cells.
- Neutrophil ETs (NETs) had similar proteomes regardless of C. acnes strain.
- Th17 cell ETs (TETs) showed strain-specific proteomic specialization.
- CH-induced TETs were rich in antimicrobial proteins and mediated bacterial killing.
- CA-induced TETs were enriched in inflammatory and matrix remodeling proteins.
Conclusions:
- C. acnes strains differentially regulate ET composition and function in a cell type-specific manner.
- Healthy skin-associated C. acnes (CH) induced TETs may support skin immune homeostasis.
- Acne-associated C. acnes (CA) induced TETs may contribute to acne inflammation and tissue damage.
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