Publication details
Is IL-1 beta Further Evidence for the Role of Propionibacterium acnes in Degenerative Disc Disease? Lessons From the Study of the Inflammatory Skin Condition Acne Vulgaris
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2018 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2018.00272 |
| Keywords | Propionibacterium acnes; interleukin-1 beta; nerve growth factor (NGF); degenerative disc disease; acne vulgaris |
| Description | The pathogenesis of degenerative disc disease is a complex and multifactorial process in which genetics, mechanical trauma, altered loading and nutrition present significant etiological factors. Infection of the intervertebral disc with the anaerobic bacterium Propionibacteriumacnes is now also emerging as a potentially new etiological factor. This human commensal bacterium is well known for its long association with the inflammatory skin condition acne vulgaris. A key component of inflammatory responses to P. acnes in acne appears to be interleukin (IL)-1 beta. Similarly, in degenerative disc disease (DDD) there is compelling evidence for the fundamental roles of IL-1 beta in its pathology. We therefore propose that P. acnes involvement in DDD is biologically very plausible, and that IL-1 beta is the key inflammatory mechanism driving the host response to P. acnes infection. Since there is a solid theoretical basis for this phenomenon, we further propose that the relationship between P. acnes infection and DDD is causal. |