1. Selective targeting of skin pathobionts and inflammation with topically applied lactobacilli.
- Author
-
Lebeer S, Oerlemans EFM, Claes I, Henkens T, Delanghe L, Wuyts S, Spacova I, van den Broek MFL, Tuyaerts I, Wittouck S, De Boeck I, Allonsius CN, Kiekens F, and Lambert J
- Subjects
- Humans, Inflammation, Propionibacterium acnes, Skin, Acne Vulgaris therapy, Lactobacillus
- Abstract
Tailored skin microbiome modulation approaches with probiotics are highly challenging. Here, we show that lactobacilli are underestimated members of the skin microbiota. We select specific strains of nomadic lactobacilli for their functional applicability on the skin and capacity to inhibit growth and inflammation by skin pathobionts. The strains are formulated as microcapsules for topical formulations and tested in patients with mild-to-moderate acne. The selected lactobacilli are able to reduce inflammatory lesions in a pilot and placebo-controlled study. Daily application for 8 weeks is associated with an in vivo temporary modulation of the microbiome, including a reduction in relative abundance of staphylococci and Cutibacterium acnes , and an increase in lactobacilli. The reduction in inflammatory lesions is still apparent 4 weeks after the topical application of the lactobacilli ended, indicating a possible additional immunomodulatory effect. This study shows that carefully selected and formulated lactobacilli are a viable therapeutic option for common acne lesions., Competing Interests: YUN NV (www.yun.be) was funded as a biotech company focusing on probiotics for the skin after the scientific studies mentioned in this paper. I.C. and T.H. were employed at the University of Antwerp at the time of the study but are currently working at the R&D Department of YUN (www.yun.be). I.C. is now Chief Scientific Officer of YUN NV. T.H. is R&D manager of YUN NV. S.L. and J.L. are members of the scientific advisory board of YUN NV. I.C., T.H., and S.L. are minority stakeholders of YUN. The PhD research of L.D. is currently funded by VLAIO through a Baekeland mandate in collaboration with YUN NV. Based on the data presented here, YUN NV has selected and formulated three Lactobacillus strains: L. pentosus YUN-V1.0, L. plantarum YUN-V2.0, and L. rhamnosus YUN-S1.0 in their commercial ACN product. Patents related to this work include dermatological preparations for maintaining and/or restoring healthy skin microbiota (WO2017220525A1) and preservation of micro-organisms (WO2018002248). The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (© 2022 The Authors.)
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF