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TREM2 macrophages induced by human lipids drive inflammation in acne lesions
Do TH, Ma F, Andrade PR, Teles R, de Andrade Silva BJ, Hu C, Espinoza A, Hsu JE et al.. Science immunology, 2022-07-22
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Acne affects 1 in 10 people globally, often resulting in disfigurement. The disease involves excess production of lipids, particularly squalene, increased growth of Cutibacterium acnes , and a host inflammatory response with foamy macrophages. By combining single-cell and spatial RNA sequencing as well as ultrahigh-resolution Seq-Scope analyses of early acne lesions on back skin, we identified TREM2 macrophages expressing lipid metabolism and proinflammatory gene programs in proximity to hair follicle epithelium expressing squalene epoxidase.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Do, T. H., Ma, F., Andrade, P. R., Teles, R., de Andrade Silva, B. J., Hu, C., et al. (2022). TREM2 macrophages induced by human lipids drive inflammation in acne lesions. Science immunology. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciimmunol.abo2787
Vancouver
Do TH, Ma F, Andrade PR, Teles R, de Andrade Silva BJ, Hu C, et al. TREM2 macrophages induced by human lipids drive inflammation in acne lesions. Science immunology. 2022. doi:10.1126/sciimmunol.abo2787. PMID: 35867799.
BibTeX
@article{do2022-35867799,
author = {Do, T. H. and Ma, F. and Andrade, P. R. and Teles, R. and de Andrade Silva, B. J. and Hu, C. and Espinoza, A. and Hsu, J. E. and others},
title = {{TREM2 macrophages induced by human lipids drive inflammation in acne lesions}},
journal = {Science immunology},
year = {2022},
doi = {10.1126/sciimmunol.abo2787},
pmid = {35867799},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1126/sciimmunol.abo2787}
}
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Key findings
- The disease involves excess production of lipids, particularly squalene, increased growth of Cutibacterium acnes , and a host inflammatory response with foamy macrophages.
- By combining single-cell and spatial RNA sequencing as well as ultrahigh-resolution Seq-Scope analyses of early acne lesions on back skin, we identified TREM2 macrophages expressing lipid metabolism and proinflammatory gene programs in proximity to hair follicle epithelium expressing squalene epoxidase.
- We established that the addition of squalene induced differentiation of TREM2 macrophages in vitro, which were unable to kill C. acnes .
- The addition of squalene to macrophages inhibited induction of oxidative enzymes and scavenged oxygen free radicals, providing an explanation for the efficacy of topical benzoyl peroxide in the clinical treatment of acne.
Why it matters
This study found TREM2 macrophages with lipid metabolism and proinflammatory gene programs in acne lesions, a skin disease unrelated to Alzheimer's. It provides no information about treating, curing or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
New to this subject? Start with our plain-English guide: Genetics →
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 53/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Science immunology) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Science Immunology: journal h-index 164 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2022 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 140 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 23.3 citations a year over 6 year(s) since 2022 |
| Impact for its field and year | 5 / 6 | Cited 23.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 3 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 108 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author Robert L. Modlin: h-index 127 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 3 / 3 | Harvard University: institution h-index 3,235 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 7 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 35867799) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 53 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abo2787
- PubMed: 35867799
- Original source →
- Free full text: eScholarship (California Digital Library) →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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