Comparative lipidomic profiling of the human commensal bacterium Propionibacterium acnes and its extracellular
Jinseong Jeon1, Seung Cheol Park2, Jin Her3
1Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) 77, Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu Pohang Gyeongbuk 37673 Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Propionibacterium acnes is a lipophilic commensal bacterium mainly found on the skin and in the gastrointestinal tract. Pathophysiological effects of P. acnes have recently been reported not only in acne progression but in various diseases. As an emerging mode of bacterial communication, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been demonstrated to conduct critical pathophysiological functions. To provide information on P. acnes lipid composition for the first time, we conducted a comparative lipidomic analysis of P. acnes and P. acnes EVs and identified 214 lipids with high confidence using triplicated liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses. P. acnes EVs contained substantially more PCs, DGs, PAs, PEs, LPAs, LPCs, and MGs than P. acnes, and contained fewer PSs, SO1Ps, SA1Ps, LPGs, LPIs, and LPSs. Distinctively, P. acnes EVs possessed a markedly reduced amount of TG. These findings will provide useful clues for understanding the biological and pathophysiological mechanisms of P. acnes and for clinical applications such as vaccine development, diagnostics and therapeutics.
Insights
This study details the lipid composition of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and its extracellular vesicles (EVs). P. acnes EVs show distinct lipid profiles, offering insights into bacterial mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Lipidomics
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a skin commensal linked to acne and other diseases.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of bacterial communication and function.
- Understanding P. acnes lipid composition is crucial for its role in disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct the first comparative lipidomic analysis of P. acnes and its EVs.
- To identify and quantify lipids in P. acnes and P. acnes EVs.
- To elucidate the role of lipid profiles in P. acnes pathophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Comparative lipidomic analysis of P. acnes and P. acnes EVs.
- Utilized liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
- Identified 214 lipids with high confidence across triplicated analyses.
Main Results:
- P. acnes EVs showed significantly higher levels of phosphatidylcholines (PCs), diacylglycerols (DGs), phosphatidic acids (PAs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs), lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), and monoacylglycerols (MGs).
- P. acnes EVs contained lower amounts of phosphatidylserines (PSs), sulfolipids (SO1Ps, SA1Ps), lysophosphatidylglycerols (LPGs), lysophosphatidylinositols (LPIs), and lipopolysaccharides (LPSs).
- A distinct and marked reduction in triacylglycerol (TG) was observed in P. acnes EVs compared to the bacteria.
Conclusions:
- The distinct lipid profiles of P. acnes EVs provide novel insights into their biological functions.
- These findings can inform the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics targeting P. acnes.
- Lipidomic data contributes to understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms involving P. acnes.
