Profile of the skin microbiota in a healthy Chinese population

Abstract

The skin microbiota is an inseparable component of the skin barrier structure, which participates in the stabilization or impairment of the barrier function as well as the development of many skin diseases. To characterize the normal skin microbiota and its association with skin sites, age and sex, we recruited 50 volunteers divided into children, adolescents, young adults, middle-aged adults and the elderly. The skin sites consisted of cheeks, volar forearms (representing dry environments) and upper back (representing sebaceous environments). A total of 9 574 365 high-quality sequences of the V3 to V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene were annotated with taxonomic information related to two archaeal phyla (Thaumarchaeota and Euryarchaeota) and five dominant bacterial phyla (Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria). The skin bacteria community structure was influenced by skin sites, and was closely related to age and sex. The upper back was dominated by Propionibacterium and Staphylococcus, and the cheeks facilitated the survival of Betaproteobacteria, while Alphaproteobacteria were prevalent on the volar forearms. Regarding the effects of age, after sexual maturity, the cheek microbiota became more similar to sebaceous sites (i.e. the upper back). The volar forearms appeared to experience the aging process earlier than the other two sites. The elderly had greater species richness and diversity and their community composition no longer had skin-site selectivity. Males had a greater species richness than females, but the sex differences in the community structure only present at certain age groups and skin sites.

Characterization and Analysis of the Skin Microbiota in Acne: Impact of Systemic Antibiotics

“…Age is known to influence the skin microbiota composition. The relative abundance of C. acnes in our under 20 age group (mean age: 14) was lower than that of the over 20 age group (mean age: 26) (19% vs. 33%), which is compatible with the study results by Zhai et al [31]. In this particular study, C. acnes evolved with age, showing the lowest abundance in childhood (four to six years), a dramatic increase at puberty (11-13 years), a peak in young adults (25-34 years), and a subsequent decline with age.…”

“…The influence of sex on the composition and diversity of the bacterial communities was relatively small compared to age. Still, we found a higher relative abundance of Pseudomonas in females, which is in line with findings from a prior study [31]. This variation is thought to rise from the difference in sebum levels as well as the habitual use of cosmetics and moisturizers among the female population.…”

“…The alpha diversity of the under 20 age group (11-18 years) was higher than that of the over 20 age group (22-44 years). This is again supported by the results from Zhai et al [31], where the elderly (62-74 years), children, and adolescents exhibited more species richness and diversity than the young and middle-aged adults (37-53 years).…”

Microbiome‐skin‐brain axis: A novel paradigm for cutaneous wounds

“…Although a large study of 2963 patients with chronic wounds indicated no statistically significant difference in wound microbial communities among different diagnostic wound types, demographic data, gender, and age have been shown to affect microbial composition in smaller human studies . Elderly populations have exhibited increased microbial diversity and decreased skin‐site selectivity . Comorbid conditions may also affect wound healing and microbial status.…”

Non‑invasive proteome‑wide quantification of skin barrier‑related proteins using label‑free LC‑MS/MS analysis

“…The stratum corneum (Sc) is the outermost layer of the epidermis and is required for barrier function to retain moisture in the skin and protect the skin from external invasion (1,2). If the barrier integrity or function is disrupted, water in the dermis and epidermis will be lost, the balance of the skin microecology will be disrupted (3), and hostile factors from the external environment will easily invade the skin, leading to skin ageing and the occurrence of various skin diseases (1,2,4).…”