Silab Develops 3D Model Mimicking Acneic Skin

Silab Softcare has developed a 3D in vitro model of acneic skin as a screening tool for acne treatments.
Silab Softcare has developed a 3D in vitro model of acneic skin as a screening tool for acne treatments.
ID 141240749 © Anastassiya Bezhekeneva | Dreamstime.com

The research teams of Silab's Softcare group have developed a 3D in vitro model of reconstructed epidermis that mimics acneic skin. The characterization of this model was recently published in Experimental Dermatology.

Related: Expert Opinions on Acne Care: Natural Oils, Customizing Microbe Targets, Quorum Sensing, Modern AHAs and ‘Maskne’

According to the company, most 3D models mimicking acneic skin independently use hyperseborrhea or the invasion of C. acnes to induce the characteristics of acneic skin. However, as these two factors are inter-related at the early stages of the pathology, the aim of this work was to develop a 3D model combining sebum alteration and the invasion of C. acnes.

As is well-known, acne is an inflammatory skin disease involving four essential components, i.e., hyperseborrhea combined with: a modification of the composition of sebum; colonization by C. acnes, particularly the virulent phylotype IA1; hyperkeratinization; and a secreted inflammation.

In the present model, the reconstructed epidermis was treated simultaneously with peroxidized squalene and C. acnes phylotype IA1 obtained from culture collection or isolated directly from acneic patients. The combination of these two factors induced acne-like keratinocyte responses, such as hyperkeratinization and inflammation, thereby providing a model exhibiting all the characteristics of acneic skin.

The 3D model resulting from this work has enabled the company to demonstrate the pharmacological activities of its Acnesium ingredient; a natural active to treat the clinical signs of slight to moderate acne in adults.

“The detailed characterization of this in vitro model proves that it is suitable to mimic acneic skin and to be used as a screening tool for the development of acne treatments,” said Marine Laclaverie, in vitro innovation project leader.

For more information, contact Silab.

More in Method/Process