Impact of the Mk VI SkinSuit on skin microbiota of terrestrial volunteers and an International Space Station-bound astronaut

Abstract

Microgravity induces physiological deconditioning due to the absence of gravity loading, resulting in bone mineral density loss, atrophy of lower limb skeletal and postural muscles, and lengthening of the spine. SkinSuit is a lightweight compression suit designed to provide head-to-foot (axial) loading to counteract spinal elongation during spaceflight. As synthetic garments may impact negatively on the skin microbiome, we used 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplicon procedures to define bacterial skin communities at sebaceous and moist body sites of five healthy male volunteers undergoing SkinSuit evaluation. Each volunteer displayed a diverse, distinct bacterial population at each skin site. Short (8 h) periods of dry hyper-buoyancy flotation wearing either gym kit or SkinSuit elicited changes in the composition of the skin microbiota at the genus level but had little or no impact on community structure at the phylum level or the richness and diversity of the bacterial population. We also determined the composition of the skin microbiota of an astronaut during pre-flight training, during an 8-day visit to the International Space Station involving two 6–7 h periods of SkinSuit wear, and for 1 month after return. Changes in composition of bacterial skin communities at five body sites were strongly linked to changes in geographical location. A distinct ISS bacterial microbiota signature was found which reversed to a pre-flight profile on return. No changes in microbiome complexity or diversity were noted, with little evidence for colonisation by potentially pathogenic bacteria; we conclude that short periods of SkinSuit wear induce changes to the composition of the skin microbiota but these are unlikely to compromise the healthy skin microbiome.

Comparison of trunk muscle exercises in supine position during short arm centrifugation with 1 g at centre of mass and upright in 1 g

“…Trunk muscle atrophy and reduced muscle tone ( McNamara et al, 2019 ) may contribute to inter-vertebral disc (IVD) pathology and contributes to an apparent increased risk of IVD herniation post-flight ( Johnston et al, 2010 ). Moderate axial loading via elasticated body suits has been suggested to promote core stability ( Rathinam et al, 2013 ) with some developed for μg environments ( Waldie and Newman, 2011 ) demonstrated to be compatible with aerobic ( Attias et al, 2017 ) and resistive ( Carvil et al, 2017 ) exercise on Earth, and on the ISS ( Stabler et al, 2017 ). However, whilst these suits may promote trunk muscle activation during exercise, such an approach is unlikely to mitigate multi-organ deconditioning.…”

Dermatologic manifestations in spaceflight: a review

“…Apollo) did not find composition changes in the skin's bacteria [10]. Sugita et al found that lipophilic skin fungi predominated before, during, and after spaceflight, but they observed that a specific or uncommon microorganism (such as the ascomycetous yeast Cyberlindnera jadinii) might be able to proliferate in a closed environment like that onboard the ISS [11]. Additional studies are needed to further qualify the changes of the skin's microbiota during spaceflight and to aid in preventing infections related to these changes.…”

“…Studies examining the colonization of the ISS found skin-associated genera on board, including Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Bacillus, Streptococcus, and some potentially pathogenic fungi [11]. The Russian Mir has also been studied for colonization, with isolates from various organisms including Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, a presumed Legionella species, spirochetes, and dust mites [16].…”

“…Cellulitis is a superficial skin infection that clinically appears as an erythematous, warm, and tender patch, generally in the setting of a prior trauma to that area. Cellulitis is commonly associated with the pathogens Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, both of which are skin-associated genera and have been found to colonize the ISS [11]. Oral antibiotics are used to treat cellulitis; however, additional studies are needed to provide information on antibiotic resistance of the microbes commonly implicated during spaceflight.…”

Space omics research in Europe: Contributions, geographical distribution and ESA member state funding schemes

“…In the SkinSuit study, microgravity was employed directly in vivo ( Stabler et al., 2017 ). This study was performed to determine the effectiveness of a lightweight compression suit designed to provide head-to-foot loading to counteract spinal elongation during spaceflight.…”