Identification of novel functions at the strain level in the skin microbiota

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K08308
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53050:Dermatology-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: ITO Yoshihiro 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 講師 (70645837)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 皮膚マイクロバイオーム / 皮膚免疫 / 菌叢

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The skin microbiota are essential for homeostasis by acting as a barrier against pathogen invasion from external environment and by regulating the host immune response and metabolic function. However, the interactions among the host and microorganisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we established a technique to generate gnotobiotic mice in vinyl isolators inoculated with germ-free mice using isolated skin bacteria to investigate crosstalks of the host and specific bacterial strains. We found that specific strains induced characteristic immune responses and metabolic pathways in the skin. We established a method of proteomics to analyze gene expression pattern of the inoculated bacteria on the skin. A lipidomics technique to quantify steroids in the skin of the mice inoculated with isolated skin microbiota was also demonstrated.

Free Research Field

皮膚科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

皮膚常在菌は恒常性の維持に重要で、その乱れは様々な炎症性皮膚疾患との関連が指摘されている。本研究では動物モデルと単離した菌株を用いて、宿主と特定の菌の相互作用を探るための様々な解析手法を確立した。本研究で確立した手法を用いて皮膚常在菌の機能を解析することで、皮膚の恒常性の維持や炎症性皮膚疾患における皮膚常在菌の機能や病態生理を解明する礎となると考えられる。さらに皮膚常在菌を治療標的とした、または皮膚常在菌自体を用いた治療法が今後社会実装されることが期待される。