Characterization of the Human Scalp Hair Follicle Microbiome Reveals Differential Spatial Distribution, Abundance and Viability of Intrafollicular Microbiota and Modulation of Hair Growth and Metabolism by Staphylococcus Epidermidis
April 2023
in “
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
”
human scalp hair follicle microbiome Staphylococcus epidermidis Cutibacterium acnes Malassezia restricta S. epidermidis-specific bacteriophages dysbiosis butyrate catagen autophagy mitochondrial activity hair follicle development immune status hair growth disorders scalp microbiome S. epidermidis C. acnes M. restricta bacteriophages microbiome imbalance butyric acid hair growth phase cellular recycling energy production hair growth immune function hair loss
TLDR Staphylococcus epidermidis affects hair growth and metabolism, suggesting it could help manage hair growth issues.
The study characterized the human scalp hair follicle microbiome, revealing variations in microbiome species abundance based on follicle compartments, tissue lineage, and donor age. Staphylococcus epidermidis showed significant abundance variations, while Cutibacterium acnes and Malassezia restricta were consistently abundant and viable. Infection with S. epidermidis-specific bacteriophages induced dysbiosis and inhibited gene transcription related to hair follicle development and immune status. Additionally, the metabolite butyrate, produced by S. epidermidis and other commensals, was found to delay catagen and promote autophagy and mitochondrial activity in hair follicles. These findings suggested a potential strategy for managing hair follicle dysbiosis and hair growth disorders by targeting specific microbiome constituents and their metabolites.
