Dynamic monitoring of acne progression and quantitative severity assessment using optical coherence tomography

Acne vulgaris, a common dermatological condition affecting the pilosebaceous follicular unit, arises from a complex interplay of factors including hyperseborrhea, Propionibacterium acnes colonization, hyperkeratosis, and inflammation. Existing pharmacodynamic evaluation techniques do not facilitate real-time and non-invasive assessment of acne and its severity within living organism. For this study, the aim was to establish a murine model of acne vulgaris, elucidate its pathological processes, and quantitatively assess the severity of the condition using non-invasive imaging techniques. We employed optical coherence tomography (OCT) in conjunction with microscopy to scrutinize the complete life cycle of acne lesions. microscopy provided insights into the micro-anatomical characteristics of murine skin lesions, while OCT allowed for the assessment of skin structural changes. Our findings indicate that the epidermis undergoes hyperplasia concurrent with acne development, and the subsequent reparative phase is marked by scab formation. Integrating deep learning algorithms enabled the precise quantification of epidermal and scab thickness variations. This novel approach provides a unique perspective for acne assessment, potentially guiding more precise clinical drug selection and improving therapeutic outcomes.