Acne-Linked Bacteria Could Play a Crucial Role in Maintaining Skin Health
The skin, the body’s largest organ, serves as the primary defense against external threats and environmental challenges. It serves essential roles such as regulating temperature and preserving moisture. Contrary to the belief that lipids contribute to skin issues like oiliness and acne, they are, in fact, indispensable for preserving the integrity of the skin’s protective barrier.
Lipids, a category encompassing organic compounds like fats, oils, waxes, and various molecules, constitute vital elements of the outermost skin layer. Alterations in the lipid composition of the skin can disrupt its capacity to function as a protective shield, thereby contributing to various skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.
The human skin hosts a diverse array of bacteria, with thousands of species coexisting. Among these, Cutibacterium acnes, commonly known as C. acnes, is frequently associated with acne development, yet its broader impact on skin health remains less understood.
I am a dermatology researcher affiliated with the Gallo Lab at the University of California, San Diego. My colleagues and I explore the skin’s defense mechanisms against environmental threats and infections, with a specific emphasis on the skin microbiome – the microorganisms residing on the skin. In our recently published research, conducted in collaboration with SILAB, a company specializing in active ingredients for skincare products, we have uncovered that C. acnes stimulates specific skin cells to significantly increase the production of essential lipids crucial for maintaining the skin’s protective barrier.
Skin Bacteria and Lipid Generation
To investigate the role of bacteria in lipid production, we exposed keratinocytes, the epidermal cells forming the skin, to various naturally occurring skin bacteria and then assessed alterations in lipid composition.
Among the typical skin bacteria we examined, only C. acnes was responsible for prompting an elevation in lipid production within these cells. To be precise, we observed a threefold rise in overall lipids, encompassing ceramides, cholesterol, free fatty acids, and notably triglycerides.
Each of these lipid categories plays a critical part in upholding the skin barrier’s integrity, ensuring moisture retention, and shielding against harm. These results indicate that C. acnes holds a unique function in the regulation of skin lipids.
Our research unveiled that C. acnes stimulated this heightened lipid production by generating a specific type of short-chain fatty acid known as propionic acid. Propionic acid fosters an acidic skin environment, offering several advantages, such as curbing the growth of pathogens, minimizing staph infections, and contributing to anti-inflammatory effects in the gastrointestinal tract.
We also pinpointed the specific gene and receptor responsible for regulating lipid synthesis triggered by C. acnes. Inhibiting these components effectively halted the lipid production induced by C. acnes.
In summary, our discoveries underscore the significant role played by a common skin bacterium and its chemical byproducts in shaping the composition of skin lipids.
Enhancing the Skin Barrier
Our investigation suggests that propionic acid originating from C. acnes offers multiple benefits to the skin barrier. For instance, by elevating lipid levels in skin cells, propionic acid reduced moisture loss through the skin.
Furthermore, we observed that the lipids generated by skin cells after exposure to C. acnes or propionic acid exhibit antimicrobial properties against C. acnes itself. This implies that the lipids facilitated by C. acnes serve a dual purpose: they not only regulate the presence of C. acnes on the skin but also contribute to maintaining a balanced skin microbiome, preventing any single microbe species from dominating the others.
In the intricate interaction between the skin and its resident microbes, the omnipresent C. acnes is emerging as a significant participant. Further research aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the skin microbiome could potentially lead to innovative treatments for various skin conditions.
Read the original article on: Science Alert
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