Peter Wolf co-author and researcher at the Unit for Photodermatology Medical University of Graz, Austria stated: These findings pave the way for microbiome-conscious sun protection strategies ones that not only shield the skin from UV radiation but also account for how resident microbes can shape immune responses following exposure.

The research, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology and conducted in mice, emphasizes the crucial role of the skin's vast microbial ecosystem including bacteria viruses and fungi in providing natural UV protection.

Lead investigator VijayKumar Patra from the International Center for Infectiology Research (CIRI) in Lyon, France, and the Medical University of Graz, added: We were fascinated by the possibility that certain microbes might actively influence or even counteract UV-induced effects. Our study soon centered on the intersection of microbial metabolism and host immune function.

The study found that specific bacteria particularly certain Hut (Histidine utilization) strains can metabolize a UVB-induced molecule thereby altering its levels on the skin. According to the authors this process reduces the availability of a crucial mediator involved in regulating immune responses to environmental antigens.

Looking ahead Peter Wolf suggests that future topical therapies targeting microbial metabolism could be developed to reduce sustain or amplify UV-induced immunosuppression when clinically advantageous, such as in the case of phototherapy.

The skin microbiome is a highly intricate ecosystem that varies across different parts of the body. The native skin microbes known as commensal or normal microbiota generally coexist in neutral or beneficial relationships. They adapt their metabolic activity based on the surrounding microenvironment and available resources feeding on skin-derived nutrients producing molecules that impact their surroundings and interacting with skin cells.

Numerous internal and external factors have been shown to shape the skin microbiome's composition explains Patra. These include personal characteristics like age, gender, race, hormone levels, diet, and hygiene, as well as environmental influences such as occupation, pollution, and climate.

As interest in microbiome research and personalized medicine rises uncovering microbe-host interactions may transform approaches to sun protection immune disorders skin cancer and therapies like phototherapy says Vocanson.

Source: https://www.personalcareinsights.com/news/skin-microbiome-uv-protection-bacterial-sunscreen.html