Engineered skin microbiome reduces mosquito attraction to mice

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Vector Biology
• Genetic Engineering

Background:

• The skin microbiome significantly influences mosquito attraction through volatile compounds.
• L-(+)-lactic acid produced by skin bacteria is a key attractant for mosquitoes.
• Current repellents like N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide offer limited protection duration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer prominent skin commensals, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Corynebacterium amycolatum, to reduce L-(+)-lactic acid production.
• To evaluate the efficacy of engineered skin bacteria in reducing mosquito attraction and feeding.
• To assess the duration of protection offered by this microbiome-based strategy compared to chemical repellents.

Main Methods:

• Genetic engineering of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Corynebacterium amycolatum to decrease L-(+)-lactic acid synthesis.
• Engraftment of engineered bacteria onto the skin of a mouse model.
• Quantification of mosquito attraction and feeding behavior towards treated and control subjects.

Main Results:

• Engineered bacteria significantly reduced L-(+)-lactic acid production.
• Engraftment of engineered bacteria on mouse skin reduced mosquito attraction and feeding.
• Protection against mosquito bites lasted up to 11 days, outperforming N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide.

Conclusions:

• Engineering the skin microbiome to reduce attractive volatile compounds is a viable strategy for reducing mosquito attraction.
• This innovative approach offers a long-lasting, microbiome-based alternative to traditional repellents.
• Findings pave the way for novel repellent products that prevent mosquito bites and pathogen transmission.