Propionibacterium acnes induces autophagy in keratinocytes: involvement of multiple mechanisms.

Propionibacterium acnes is a dominant member of the cutaneous microbiota. Herein, we evaluate the effects of different P. acnes strains and propionic acid on autophagy in keratinocytes. Our results showed that P. acnes strain 889 altered the architecture of the mitochondrial network, elevated the levels of LC3B-II, Beclin-1 and phospho-AMPKα, stimulated autophagic flux, facilitated intracellular redistribution of LC3B, increased average number of autophagosomes per cell, and enhanced development of acidic vesicular organelles in the HPV-KER cell line. Propionic acid increased the level of phospho-AMPKα, enhanced lipidation of LC3B, stimulated autophagic flux, as well as facilitated translocation of LC3B into autophagosomes in HPV-KER cells. P. acnes strains 889, 6609 and heat-killed strain 889 also stimulated autophagosome formation in primary keratinocytes to varying degrees. These results indicate that cell wall components and secreted propionic acid metabolite of P. acnes evoke mitochondrial damage successively, thereby trigger AMPK-associated activation of autophagy, which in turn facilitates the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria and promotes survival of keratinocytes. Thus, we suggest that low-level colonization of hair follicles with non-invasive P. acnes strains, by triggering a local increase in autophagic activity, might exert a profound effect on several physiological processes responsible for the maintenance of skin tissue homeostasis.