MicroRNAs as biomarkers for acne scarring
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MicroRNAs as mechanism-based biomarkers of wound scarring and repair in acne
IRAS ID
147896
Contact name
Alison Layton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Acne is one of the most common inflammatory dermatoses affecting up to 5 million people in the UK. Scarring is a frequent consequence of acne, occurring in up to 90% of cases. Scarring is said to be clinically relevant in 50% and correlates with acne duration. Scarring can produce significant psychosocial morbidity and treatments for scarring remain limited. Whereas there appears to be a correlation between resultant scarring and acne severity and prolonged duration up to 3 years in many, it has been demonstrated through digital photography, that scars can arise within 12 weeks from comedones, inflammatory lesions and normal looking skin. Clinically superficial inflammatory lesions may also be a trigger.
There is evidence to suggest patients who scar have a prolonged inflammatory and increased immune response. This may be due to genetic susceptibility as there is a link between family history and scarring.
MicroRNAs have been shown to have essential roles in skin pathophysiology and development. One previous study has identified 32 potential microRNAs that were differentially expressed between keloid tissue to wounds and corresponding normal skin. This has not be investigated previously in scarring resulting from acne.
The primary aim of the current study is to identify microRNAs as a mechanism based biomarker of acne scarring. MicroRNAs have outstanding potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers of disease. This is because microRNA profiles are highly tissue-specific and profoundly sensitive to biological stress. The profound promise of microRNAs as biomarkers of disease and response-to-treatment has not been investigated in acne. A significant advantage of studying microRNA tissue profiles in a multifactorial biological process, such as acne-induced scarring, is that this could provide significant mechanistic clues with regards to the driving pathological processes and potential response to treatment. Systematic analysis of differential microRNA profiles can identify candidate cellular and molecular processes involved in healing and scarring and the effect of specific interventions on these processes. Furthermore, thanks to the ability to detect pathology-associated microRNAs in circulation, identifying scarring microRNA signatures of scarring at the tissue level is highly likely to lead to non-invasive blood tests that have the potential to predict compromised wound healing and/or extensive scarring during acne.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/1150
Date of REC Opinion
22 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion