Application of bacteriophage φPaP11-13 attenuates rat Cutibacterium acnes infection lesions by promoting keratinocytes apoptosis via inhibiting PI3K/Akt pathway.

Cutibacterium acnes infection-induced acne vulgaris may cause severe physical and psychological prognosis. However, the overuse of antibiotics develops drug resistance, bringing challenges in treating Cutibacterium acnes . Bacteriophages are currently proven effective in MDR (multiple drug-resistant) Cutibacterium acnes , but there is a significant lack of understanding of phage therapy. This study demonstrated a novel way of curing acne vulgaris by using phages through promoting cell death of excessive keratinocytes in acne lesions by lysing Cutibacterium acnes . However, the regulation of this cell cycle has not been proven to be directly mediated by phages. The hint of ternary relation among "phage-bacteria-host" inspires huge interest in future phage therapy studies.