Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Skin microbiome and mast cells.

Satomi Igawa1, Anna Di Nardo2

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan; Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.

Translational Research : the Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine
|April 10, 2017
PubMed
Summary

The skin microbiome, rich in Gram-positive bacteria, communicates with skin cells like mast cells (MCs) via bacterial products such as lipoteichoic acid (LTA). This interaction influences MC development and function, clarifying a previously controversial topic.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Patterns of Hyperhidrosis in Northern Hokkaido: A Single-Center Retrospective Descriptive Study.

The Journal of dermatology·2026
Same author

Scanning Acoustic Microscopy as a Novel Quantitative Tool for Assessing Dermal Sclerosis in Systemic Sclerosis: A Case Report.

Case reports in dermatology·2026
Same author

A Case of Areolar Sebaceous Hyperplasia Coexisting With an Epidermoid Cyst and Soft Fibroma.

The Journal of dermatology·2026
Same author

Erythema Annulare Centrifugum-Like Flare in ATP2C1-Nonsyndromic Epidermal Differentiation Disorder (Hailey-Hailey Disease) During Köbnerization.

The Journal of dermatology·2026
Same author

Exploring the skin as an open window onto neurodegenerative diseases.

Translational neurodegeneration·2025
Same author

Lipidome Complexity in Physiological and Pathological Skin Pigmentation.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • The human skin harbors a diverse microbiota, predominantly Gram-positive bacteria like Actinobacteria.
  • Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a cell wall component of Gram-positive bacteria, is abundant on the skin.
  • Bacterial products, including LTA, interact with skin cells, notably mast cells (MCs), potentially stimulating Toll-like Receptors (TLRs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and clarify the communication mechanisms between the skin microbiota and mast cells.
  • To address the controversy surrounding how mast cells interact with surface bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on skin microbiota, mast cells, and their interactions.
  • Analysis of studies investigating the role of bacterial products (e.g., LTA) and TLRs in skin immunity.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • The skin microbiome significantly influences mast cell migration, localization, and maturation.
  • Germ-free animal models show underdeveloped immune systems and immature mast cells, highlighting the microbiome's role.
  • Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and other bacterial components are key mediators in the skin cell-bacteria communication.

Conclusions:

  • The skin microbiota plays a crucial role in immune system development and mast cell function.
  • Understanding the LTA-TLR pathway provides insight into the communication between bacteria and mast cells.
  • This review elucidates the mechanisms underlying the skin microbiome's influence on mast cell biology.