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The mPEG-PCL Copolymer for Selective Fermentation of Staphylococcus lugdunensis Against Candida parapsilosis in the
Ming-Shan Kao1, Yanhan Wang2, Shinta Marito1
1Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Many human skin diseases, such as seborrheic dermatitis, potentially occur due to the over-growth of fungi. It remains a challenge to develop fungicides with a lower risk of generating resistant fungi and non-specifically killing commensal microbes. Our probiotic approaches using a selective fermentation initiator of skin commensal bacteria, fermentation metabolites or their derivatives provide novel therapeutics to rein in the over-growth of fungi. Staphylococcus lugdunensis (S. lugdunensis) bacteria and Candida parapsilosis (C. parapsilosis) fungi coexist in the scalp microbiome. S. lugdunensis interfered with the growth of C. parapsilosis via fermentation. A methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (mPEG-PCL) copolymer functioned as a selective fermentation initiator of S. lugdunensis, selectively triggering the S. lugdunensis fermentation to produce acetic and isovaleric acids. The acetic acid and its pro-drug diethyleneglycol diacetate (Ac-DEG-Ac) effectively suppressed the growth of C. parapsilosis in vitro and impeded the fungal expansion in the human dandruff. We demonstrate for the first time that S. lugdunensis is a skin probiotic bacterium that can exploit mPEG-PCL to yield fungicidal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The concept of bacterial fermentation as a part of skin immunity to re-balance the dysbiotic microbiome warrants a novel avenue for studying the probiotic function of the skin microbiome in promoting health.
Insights
A novel probiotic approach uses Staphylococcus lugdunensis bacteria to combat fungal overgrowth, a cause of skin diseases like seborrheic dermatitis. This method selectively produces fungicidal compounds, offering a safer alternative to traditional fungicides.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Fungal overgrowth, particularly Candida parapsilosis, is linked to skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.
- Developing effective fungicides is challenging due to risks of resistance and harm to beneficial skin microbes.
- The scalp microbiome involves interactions between bacteria like Staphylococcus lugdunensis and fungi.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a novel probiotic strategy for controlling fungal overgrowth on the skin.
- To explore the potential of Staphylococcus lugdunensis and its fermentation products as a therapeutic agent.
- To identify methods for selectively targeting pathogenic fungi without disrupting the commensal microbiome.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (mPEG-PCL) copolymer as a selective fermentation initiator for S. lugdunensis.
- Analyzing the fermentation metabolites produced by S. lugdunensis, specifically acetic and isovaleric acids.
- Evaluating the in vitro efficacy of acetic acid and its pro-drug (Ac-DEG-Ac) against C. parapsilosis.
- Assessing the impact of these compounds on fungal expansion in human dandruff models.
Main Results:
- S. lugdunensis was identified as a bacterium that can interfere with C. parapsilosis growth through fermentation.
- The mPEG-PCL copolymer selectively initiated S. lugdunensis fermentation, yielding fungicidal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
- Acetic acid and Ac-DEG-Ac demonstrated significant suppression of C. parapsilosis growth in vitro and reduced fungal expansion in dandruff.
Conclusions:
- Staphylococcus lugdunensis acts as a skin probiotic, capable of producing fungicidal SCFAs when triggered by mPEG-PCL.
- This approach offers a targeted method to combat fungal skin infections by re-balancing the microbiome.
- Bacterial fermentation represents a promising avenue for developing new treatments for skin dysbiosis and fungal diseases.
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