Comparative whole genome analysis of face-derived Streptococcus infantis CX-4 unravels the functions related to skin barrier.

BACKGROUND: The skin microbiome is essential in guarding against harmful pathogens and responding to environmental changes by generating substances useful in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Among these microorganisms, Streptococcus is a bacterial species identified in various isolation sources. In 2021, a strain of Streptococcus infantis, CX-4, was identified from facial skin and found to be linked to skin structure and elasticity. As the skin-derived strain differs from other S. infantis strains, which are usually of oral origin, it emphasizes the significance of bacterial variation by the environment. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the unique characteristics of the CX-4 compared to seven oral-derived Streptococcus strains based on the Whole-Genome Sequencing data, focusing on its potential role in skin health and its possible application in cosmetic strategies. METHODS: The genome of the CX-4 strain was constructed using PacBio Sequencing, with the assembly performed using the SMRT protocol. Comparative whole-genome analysis was then performed with seven closely related strains, utilizing web-based tools like PATRIC, OrthoVenn3, and EggNOG-mapper, for various analyses, including protein association analysis using STRING. RESULTS: Our analysis unveiled a substantial number of Clusters of Orthologous Groups in diverse functional categories in CX-4, among which sphingosine kinase (SphK) emerged as a unique product, exclusively present in the CX-4 strain. SphK is a critical enzyme in the sphingolipid metabolic pathway, generating sphingosine-1-phosphate. The study also brought potential associations with isoprene formation and retinoic acid synthesis, the latter being a metabolite of vitamin A, renowned for its crucial function in promoting skin cell growth, differentiation, and maintaining of skin barrier integrity. These findings collectively suggest the potential of the CX-4 strain in enhancing of skin barrier functionality. CONCLUSION: Our research underscores the potential of the skin-derived S. infantis CX-4 strain by revealing unique bacterial compounds and their potential roles on human skin.

Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verifications to Discover Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi's Effects on Joint Inflammation, Destruction, and Pain in Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, characterized by joint pain and a decline in physiological function. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SB) is potentially effective against osteoarthritis because of its wide range of anti-inflammatory pharmacological activities. This study aimed to identify the mode of action of SB against osteoarthritis using network pharmacology prediction and experimental verification. Networks were constructed to key compounds, hub targets, and pathways essential for SB's effectiveness against osteoarthritis. Additionally, in vivo and in vitro tests were performed, including investigations on weight bearing in hind limbs, the acetic acid-induced writhing response, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and serum cytokine responses. We identified 15 active compounds and 14 hub targets, supporting the anti-osteoarthritis effects of SB. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that fluid shear stress, atherosclerosis, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt signaling, and cellular senescence pathways were important. SB showed substantial anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and joint tissue-protective effects against osteoarthritis. Our study shows that SB has the potential value to be further investigated as a candidate material for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.

Skin benefits of postbiotics derived from Micrococcus luteus derived from human skin: an untapped potential for dermatological health.

BACKGROUND: The skin microbiome, a diverse community of microorganisms, plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health. Among these microorganisms, the gram-positive bacterium Micrococcus luteus exhibits potential for promoting skin health. This study focuses on postbiotics derived from M. luteus YM-4, a strain isolated from human skin. OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to explore the beneficial effects of YM-4 culture filtrate on dermatological health, including enhancing barrier function, modulating immune response, and aiding recovery from environmental damage. METHODS: The effects of the YM-4 culture filtrate were tested on human keratinocytes and fibroblasts under various conditions using real-time PCR for gene expression analysis and fibroblast migration assays. A dehydration-simulated model was employed to prepare RNA-Seq samples from HaCaT cells treated with the YM-4 culture filtrate. Differentially expressed genes were identified and functionally classified through k-means clustering, gene ontology terms enrichment analyses, and protein-protein interactions mapping. RESULTS: The YM-4 culture filtrate enhanced the expression of genes involved in skin hydration, hyaluronic acid synthesis, barrier function, and cell proliferation. It also reduced inflammation markers in keratinocytes and fibroblasts under stress conditions. It mitigated UVB-induced collagen degradation while promoted collagen synthesis, suggesting anti-aging properties, and accelerated wound healing processes by promoting cell proliferation and migration. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that the YM-4 culture filtrate could reverse dehydration-induced transcriptional changes towards a state similar to untreated cells. CONCLUSION: M. luteus YM-4 culture filtrate exhibits significant therapeutic potential for dermatological applications.

Dermatobacter hominis gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Iamiaceae, revealed the potential utilisation of skin-derived metabolites.

A non-motile, novel actinobacterial strain, Kera-3T, which is a gram-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, was isolated from human keratinocytes on 1/10 diluted R2A agar. Whole-cell hydrolysis of amino acids revealed the presence of meso-DAP, alanine, and glutamic acid. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9 (H8), whereas the primary fatty acids were C16:0 and C18:1 ω9c. The major phospholipids included diphosphatidylglycerol and aminophospholipids, along with an unidentified phosphoglycolipid and an aminophosphoglycolipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 73.2%, based on the complete genome sequence. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenomic analysis of 91 core genes showed that strain Kera-3T formed a new lineage in the family Iamiaceae, with the closest neighbour Rhabdothermincola sediminis SYSU G02662T having 91.19% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity. A comparative genomic study of the predicted general metabolism and carbohydrate-active enzymes supported the phylogenetic and phylogenomic data. Based on the analysis of physiological, biochemical, and genomic characteristics, strain Kera-3T can be distinguished from known genera in the family Iamiaceae and represents a novel genus and species. Therefore, the name Dermatobacter hominis gen. nov., sp. nov. was proposed, with the type strain Kera-3T (= KACC 22415T = LMG 32493T).

Growth Increase in the Herbaceous Plant Centella asiatica by the Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Priestia megaterium HyangYak-01.

Centella asiatica is a traditional herbaceous plant with numerous beneficial effects, widely known for its medicinal and cosmetic applications. Maximizing its growth can lead to beneficial effects, by focusing on the use of its active compounds. The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is known to be an alternative to chemical fertilizers. In this study, we used the PGPR Priestia megaterium HY-01 to increase the yield of C. asiatica. In vitro assays showed that HY-01 exhibited plant growth-promoting activities (IAA production, denitrification, phosphate solubilization, and urease activity). Genomic analyses also showed that the strain has plant growth-promoting-related genes that corroborate with the different PGP activities found in the assays. This strain was subsequently used in field experiments to test its effectiveness on the growth of C. asiatica. After four months of application, leaf and root samples were collected to measure the plant growth rate. Moreover, we checked the rhizosphere microbiome between the treated and non-treated plots. Our results suggest that treatment with Hyang-yak-01 not only improved the growth of C. asiatica (leaf length, leaf weight, leaf width, root length, root width, and chlorophyll content) but also influenced the rhizosphere microbiome. Biodiversity was higher in the treated group, and the bacterial composition was also different from the control group.

Staphylococcus epidermidis Cicaria, a Novel Strain Derived from the Human Microbiome, and Its Efficacy as a Treatment for Hair Loss.

The skin tissue of the scalp is unique from other skin tissues because it coexists with hair, and many differences in microbial composition have been confirmed. In scalp tissues, hair loss occurs due to a combination of internal and external factors, and several studies are being conducted to counteract this. However, not many studies have addressed hair loss from the perspective of the microbiome. In this study, subjects with hair loss and those with normal scalps were set as experimental and control groups, respectively. In the experimental group, hair loss had progressed, and there was a large difference in microbiome composition compared to the group with normal scalps. In particular, differences in Accumulibacter, Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium were found. From Staphylococcus epidermidis Cicaria, two active components were isolated as a result of repeated column chromatography. Spectroscopic data led to the determination of chemical structures for adenosine and biotin. Fractions were obtained, and ex vivo tests were conducted using hair follicles derived from human scalp tissue. When the microbiome adenosine-treated group was compared to the control group, hair follicle length was increased, and hair root diameter was maintained during the experimental periods. In addition, the Cicaria culture medium and the microbial adenosine- and biotin-treated groups maintained the anagen phase, reducing progression to the catagen phase in the hair growth cycle. In conclusion, it was confirmed that the Cicaria culture medium and the microbial adenosine and biotin derived from the culture were effective in inhibiting hair loss.

Comparative analysis of human facial skin microbiome between topical sites compared to entire face.

BACKGROUND: Skin is an essential outer barrier and supports the growth of commensal microorganisms that protects a host from the offense of foreign toxic organisms. With the rapid development of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based applications, skin microbiome research for facial health care has reached industry growth, such as therapy and cosmetic product development. Despite the acceleration of skin microbiome research, experimental standardization protocol has not yet been established in the facial site and method of sampling. OBJECTIVE: Thus, we aimed to investigate the differences in microbial composition at each facial site (cheek, mouth, forehead, and entire face) using comprehensive microbiome analysis. METHODS: Twelve specimens from three men (four specimens per one person) were collected. The hypervariable regions (V3-V4) of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene were targeted for 16S amplicon library construction and classification of bacterial taxonomy. Skin microbial composition for all specimens was investigated, and the differences site-by-site in skin microbial composition were analyzed and evaluated by the various statistical tests. RESULTS: We were able to validate the independent correlation between the skin microbiome composition and the facial sites. The cheek site showed the highest alpha-diversity in richness and evenness scores compared to the forehead and mouth. The cheek and mouth sites showed a positive correlation (R2 value > 0.93) with the entire face, while the forehead sites were negatively correlated (R2 value < 0.2). Given the relative abundance based on statistical correlation analysis, we estimated that the cheek site could be considered an optimal topical site to replace the entire face. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that skin microbiome profiling of four facial sites confirms that the cheek shows the most similar skin flora with the entire face. This study would be informative for preventing bias caused by sampling methods before researching and understanding skin cosmetics development or skin diseases.

Respiratory microbiome profiles differ by recent hospitalization and nursing home residence in patients on mechanical ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) is a heterogeneous disease. We redefined nursing-home- and hospital-associated infections (NHAI) group by revising existing HCAP risk factors. The NHAI group comprised nursing home residents with a poor functional status, or recent (past 90 days) hospitalization or recent (past 180 days) antibiotic therapy. Our aim was to determine whether respiratory microbiota profiles are related to newly defined NHAI group in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation. METHODS: The 180 endotracheal aspirates (ETAs) from 60 mechanically ventilated ICU patients (NHAI group, n = 24; non-NHAI group, n = 36) were prospectively collected on days 1, 3 and 7 in a university hospital. The bacterial community profiles of the ETAs were explored by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A phylogenetic-tree-based microbiome association test (TMAT), generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs), the Wilcoxon test and the reference frame method were used to analyze the association between microbiome abundance and disease phenotype. RESULTS: The relative abundance of the genus Corynebacterium was significantly higher in the pneumonia than in the non-pneumonia group. The microbiome analysis revealed significantly lower α-diversity in the NHAI group than in the non-NHAI group. In the analysis of ß-diversity, the structure of the microbiome also differed significantly between the two groups (weighted UniFrac distance, Adonis, p < 0.001). The abundance of Corynebacterium was significantly higher, and the relative abundances of Granulicatella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Veillonella were significantly lower, in the NHAI group than in the non-NHAI group. CONCLUSIONS: The microbiota signature of the ETAs distinguished between patients with and without risk factors for NHAI. The lung microbiome may serve as a therapeutic target for NHAI group.

Limnobaculum parvum gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater lake.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated as strain HYN0051T, was isolated from lake water. 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses indicated that the isolate shares the highest sequence similarity with the genus Pragia (97.1 %) of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Strain HYN0051T did not form a rigid clade with the genus Pragia in any of the phylogenetic trees, demonstrating the novel generic status of the isolate. The genome of strain HYN0051T (CP029185) is a single circular chromosome of 3.84 Mb. The major fatty acids detected were C14 : 0, C16 : 0, summed feature 2 (C12 : 0 aldehyde and/or unknown 10.928), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c). The isoprenoid quinones were Q-8, MK-8 and DMK-8. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified phospholipid. The genome size, G+C content and fatty acid profile were very similar to that of the genus Pragia, but the composition of isoprenoid quinones and polar lipids, and numerous phenotypic properties also supported the distinctiveness of the new isolate from the genus Pragia. Thus, based on phylogenetic and phenotypic data, a novel species of a new genus, Limnobaculum parvum gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Limnobaculum parvum is HYN0051T (=KACC 19186T=NBRC 112742T).

Phenylobacterium parvum sp. nov., isolated from lake water.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and aerobic bacterium, designated HYN0004T, was isolated from lake water. The strain grew at 15-35 °C and pH 7.0-9.0 on R2A. The isoprenoid quinone was Q10 and major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified glycolipid. The genome was 2.83 Mb with a DNA G+C content of 69.9 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses revealed that HYN0004T represented a member of the genus Phenylobacterium and shared sequence similarities with Phenylobacterium conjunctum (97.8 %), Phenylobacterium koreense (97.5 %), Phenylobacterium aquaticum (97.2 %), and Phenylobacteriumheamatophilum (97.0 %). In addition to the low sequence similarities, the phylogenetic tree shapes indicated that HYN0004Trepresents an independent species of this genus. The genomic and phenotypic properties, including small genome size, inability to carry out numerous enzymatic reactions and high ratio of C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c in fatty acids, verified the differentiation between HYN0004T and related species. Thus, we propose a novel species of the genus Phenylobacterium, named as Phenylobacterium parvum sp. nov. The type strain is HYN0004T (=KACC 19185T=NBRC 112736T).

Flavobacterium magnum sp. nov., Flavobacterium pallidum sp. nov., Flavobacterium crocinum sp. nov. and Flavobacterium album sp. nov.

Four new limnic bacterial strains, namely HYN0048T, HYN0049T, HYN0056T and HYN0059T, were isolated from two lakes in the Nakdong River water system in Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses indicated that strains HYN0048T, HYN0049T, HYN0056T and HYN0059T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium by showing the highest sequence similarities with the type strains of F. soli (94.9 %), F. keumense (95.1 %), F. dispersum (97.7 %) and F. hauense (97.6 %), respectively. The low sequence similarities and tree topologies implied the novelty of the four isolates, as novel genomic species of the genus Flavobacterium. Numerous physiological and biochemical features also supported the distinctiveness of the isolates from previously known bacterial species. On the basis of the phylogenetic and phenotypic data presented in this study, four novel species are suggested with the following names: Flavobacterium magnum sp. nov. (type strain HYN0048T=KACC 19180T=NBRC 112740T), Flavobacterium pallidum sp. nov. (HYN0049T=KACC 19181T=NBRC 112741T), Flavobacterium crocinum sp. nov. (HYN0056T=KACC 19182T=NBRC 112743T) and Flavobacterium album sp. nov. (HYN0059T=KACC 19183T=NBRC 112744T).

Hydrogenophaga crassostreae sp. nov., isolated from a Pacific oyster.

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped, and aerobic bacterial strain, designated LPB0072T, was isolated from a Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). Autotrophic growth with hydrogen gas was not observed. Cells oxidized thiosulfate to sulfate and reduced nitrate to nitrite. The complete genome sequence of strain LPB0072T (CP017476) is 4.94 Mb in length and contains 4459 protein-coding genes, with a G+C content of 61.3 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain LPB0072T belongs to the genus Hydrogenophaga, with greatest sequence similarity to the type strain of Hydrogenophaga taeniospiralis (97.5 %). The isoprenoid quinone (Q-8) and the major cellular fatty acids (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0 and C17 : 1ω6c) identified were concordant with the chemotaxonomic properties of the genus Hydrogenophaga. The average nucleotide identities with closely related species were below the suggested boundary for species delineation, indicating that the isolate is a novel species. Numerous physiological and biochemical features also distinguished the isolate from other known Hydrogenophaga species. Based on the polyphasic data presented in this study, strain LPB0072T should be classified as a novel species in the genus Hydrogenophaga, and the name Hydrogenophaga crassostreae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LPB0072T (=KACC 18705T=JCM 31188T).