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A Murine Tail Lymphedema Model
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Skin microbiome alterations in upper extremity secondary lymphedema
Adana-Christine Campbell1, Teng Fei2, Jung Eun Baik1
1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, New York, NY, United States of America.
Plos One
|May 17, 2023
Summary
The skin microbiome composition varies significantly in patients with secondary lymphedema. Limb volume changes correlate with microbial differences, suggesting a role for host-microbe interactions in lymphedema development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Lymphedema, a chronic condition from lymphatic injury post-cancer surgery, often leads to limb swelling.
- The role of the skin microbiome in lymphedema pathogenesis is not well understood.
- Existing research focuses on molecular and immune pathways, overlooking microbial contributions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the skin microbiome's composition in patients with secondary upper extremity lymphedema.
- To explore correlations between microbial profiles and clinical factors like limb volume.
- To determine if the skin microbiome differs between affected and unaffected limbs.
Main Methods:
- 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing of skin swabs from 30 patients with unilateral upper extremity lymphedema.
- Analysis of paired normal and lymphedema forearm samples.
- Statistical modeling to correlate clinical variables with microbial community structure.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in alpha diversity were found between normal and lymphedema skin samples.
- Increased relative limb volume correlated with greater microbial distance between paired limbs in patients without infection history (p=0.02).
- Genera like Propionibacterium and Streptococcus showed high variability between paired samples.
Conclusions:
- The skin microbiome exhibits significant compositional heterogeneity in secondary upper extremity lymphedema.
- Host-microbe interactions may play a role in lymphedema pathophysiology.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms involved.
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