Characterization of Weissella viridescens UCO-SMC3 as a Potential Probiotic for the Skin: Its Beneficial Role in the Pathogenesis of Acne Vulgaris

Abstract

Previously, we isolated lactic acid bacteria from the slime of the garden snail Helix aspersa Müller and selected Weissella viridescens UCO-SMC3 because of its ability to inhibit in vitro the growth of the skin-associated pathogen Cutibacterium acnes. The present study aimed to characterize the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties of W. viridescens UCO-SMC3 and to demonstrate its beneficial effect in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Our in vitro studies showed that the UCO-SMC3 strain resists adverse gastrointestinal conditions, inhibits the growth of clinical isolates of C. acnes, and reduces the adhesion of the pathogen to keratinocytes. Furthermore, in vivo studies in a mice model of C. acnes infection demonstrated that W. viridescens UCO-SMC3 beneficially modulates the immune response against the skin pathogen. Both the oral and topical administration of the UCO-SCM3 strain was capable of reducing the replication of C. acnes in skin lesions and beneficially modulating the inflammatory response. Of note, orally administered W. viridescens UCO-SMC3 induced more remarkable changes in the immune response to C. acnes than the topical treatment. However, the topical administration of W. viridescens UCO-SMC3 was more efficient than the oral treatment to reduce pathogen bacterial loads in the skin, and effects probably related to its ability to inhibit and antagonize the adhesion of C. acnes. Furthermore, a pilot study in acne volunteers demonstrated the capacity of a facial cream containing the UCO-SMC3 strain to reduce acne lesions. The results presented here encourage further mechanistic and clinical investigations to characterize W. viridescens UCO-SMC3 as a probiotic for acne vulgaris treatment.

Novel Insights Into the Phylogeny and Biotechnological Potential of Weissella Species

“…This potential probiotic activity is supported by observations that some Weissella species can overcome the gastric barrier (Wang et al, 2008 ) and produce antimicrobial compounds such as bacteriocins (Srionnual et al, 2007 ; Masuda et al, 2012 ). For example, W. cibaria has been reported to inhibit biofilm formation in vitro and the proliferation of the main bacterial pathogens in dental caries and upper respiratory infections (Yeu et al, 2021 ), and has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory activity against lipopolysaccharide stimulation (Yu et al, 2019 ), while W. viridescens was proposed as a potential probiotic for the skin (Espinoza-Monje et al, 2021 ). Furthermore, potential probiotic features of this genus include the reduction in depressive-like behavior (Sandes et al, 2020 ), the influence on gut permeability and intestinal epithelial regeneration (Prado et al, 2020 ), and the antagonistic activity against common human pathogens (Afolayan et al, 2017 ; Choi et al, 2018 ; Yu et al, 2019 ).…”

Efficacy and safety of a facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glaba root extract in the treatment of maskne: A randomized placebo‐controlled study

“…Previous in vitro studies using the minimal inhibitory concentration assay showed Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) growth suppression, another potential pathogen related to AV 19,20 . On the contrary, Espinoza‐Monje et al proposed the emergence of the snail microbiota in snail slime, such as lactic‐acid producing bacteria, which may demonstrate C. acnes growth inhibition, resulting in a less inflammatory response 21 …”

Acne, Microbiome, and Probiotics: The Gut–Skin Axis

“…Furthermore, in a murine model, Weissella viridescens UCO-SMC3, both administered orally and topically, was shown to beneficially modulate the immune response against C. acnes and reduce C. acnes replication in lesions. Even orally, Weissella viridescens UCO-SMC3 produced a more potent anti-inflammatory response than topically [ 123 ].…”