Skip to main content
Log in

Potential anti-inflammatory effects of topical retinoids and retinoid analogues

  • Published:
Advances in Therapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The topical retinoid tretinoin and topical retinoid analogues such as adapalene and tazarotene help normalize hyperkeratinization in acne vulgaris and have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects in experimental trials. Inhibition of various immune factors, including the activity of leukocytes, the release of proinflammatory cytokines and other mediators, and the expression of transcription factors and toll receptors involved in immunomodulation, has emerged in both in vitro studies and in vivo animal experiments. These multiple mechanisms of action should encourage clinicians to consider these agents in the first-line management of inflammatory acne lesions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Johnson BA, Nunley JR. Topical therapy for acne vulgaris. How do you choose the best drug for each patient?Postgrad Med. 2000;107:69–80.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Shalita A. The integral role of topical and oral retinoids in the early treatment of acne.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2001;15(suppl 3):43–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Webster GF. Inflammation in acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995;33:247–253.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Norris JF, Cunliffe WJ. A histological and immunocytochemical study of early acne lesions.Br J Dermatol. 1988;118:651–659.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ingham E, Walters CE, Eady EA, Cove JH, Kearney JN, Cunliffe WJ. Inflammation in acne vulgaris: failure of skin micro-organisms to modulate keratinocyte interleukin 1α production in vitro.Dermatology. 1998;196:86–88.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Stingl G, Maurer D, Hauser C, Wolff K. The epidermis: an immunologic microenvironment. In: Freedberg IM, Eisen AZ, Wolff K, et al, eds.Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine. 5th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1999:343–370.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Lee WL, Shalita AR, Suntharalingam K, Fikrig SM. Neutrophil chemotaxis byPropionibacterium acnes lipase and its inhibition.Infect Immun. 1982;35:71–78.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Scott DG, Cunliffe WJ, Gowland G. Activation of complement—a mechanism for the inflammation in acne.Br J Dermatol. 1979;101:315–320.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Brostoff J, Scadding GK, Male DK, Roitt IM.Clinical Immunology. New York, NY: Gower Medical; 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Strauss JS, Thiboutot DM. Diseases of the sebaceous glands. In: Freedberg IM, Eisen AZ, Wolff K, et al, eds.Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine. 5th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1999:769–784.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Czernielewski J, Michel S, Bouclier M, Baker M, Hensby C. Adapalene biochemistry and the evolution of a new topical retinoid for treatment of acne.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2001; 15(suppl 3):5–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Wauben-Penris PJJ, Cerneus DP, van den Hoven WE, Leuven PJMJ, den Brok JHAM, Hall DWR. Immunomodulatory effects of tretinoin in combination with clindamycin.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 1998;11(suppl 1):S2-S7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Oh G-S, Pae H-O, Seo W-G, et al. Inhibitory effect of retinoic acid on expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene in L929 cells.Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2001;23:335–342.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Duvic M. Pharmacologic profile of tazarotene.Cutis. 1998;61(2 suppl):22–26.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Hensby C, Cavey D, Bouclier M, et al. The in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of CD271: a new retinoid-like modulator of cell differentiation.Agents Actions. 1990;29:56–58.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Shroot B, Michel S. Pharmacology and chemistry of adapalene.J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997; 36(suppl 1):S96-S103.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Data on file. Galderma, LP, Fort Worth, Texas.

  18. Aderem A, Ulevitch RJ. Toll-like receptors in the induction of the innate immune response.Nature. 2000;406:782–787.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Bouclier M, Luginbuhl B, Shroot B, Hensby CN. Arachidonic acid induced ear oedema in four strains of rats and mice: a comparative study of anti-inflammatory drugs.Agents Actions. 1990; 29:62–64.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Wolf JE. An update of recent clinical trials examining adapalene and acne.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2001;15(suppl 3):23–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wolf, J.E. Potential anti-inflammatory effects of topical retinoids and retinoid analogues. Adv Therapy 19, 109–118 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02850266

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02850266

Keywords

Navigation