High-throughput RNA sequencing reveals the anti-inflammatory mechanism of baicalin on Propionibacterium acnes-induced acne in rabbits

Abstract

Objective: Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) plays an important role in the development of acne, an inflammatory skin disease with a high-incidence. In this study, we used high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to reveal the anti-inflammatory mechanism of baicalin on P. acnes-induced acne in rabbits. Methods: The Kligman method was used to induce acne in the ears of New Zealand rabbits. The effect of baicalin on the acne model was evaluated by the number of acne lesions and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of acne tissues. Enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay was used to measure the protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFA), interleukin-1 β (IL1B), IL6, and IL8 in the serum of rabbits. RNA-seq was performed to investigate the mechanism of anti-inflammatory activities of baicalin on acne. Immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot were used to validate the expression levels of related proteins in acne tissues. Results: Baicalin treatment significantly reduced the number of acne lesions and lesions of the ear as well as levels of serum inflammatory cytokines. RNA-seq data showed that baicalin treatment globally suppressed inflammation, especially the TNF signaling pathway and Staphylococcus aureus infection pathway, in the rabbit acne model. Conclusion: Baicalin effectively ameliorates P. acnes-induced acne in rabbits by suppressing the inflammatory response in rabbits. Keywords: Acne, Baicalin, P. acnes, TNF signaling pathway, Complement pathway