It is possible to modify Cutibacterium acnes, the bacterial strain that causes pimples, to prevent its own negative consequences.
A one-of-a-kind weapon against one of the most frustrating and widespread skin conditions that humanity has ever encountered has been developed by researchers in Europe. Instead of depending on products such as cleaning products, creams, ointments, or oral antibiotics, they have shifted their attention to a prevalent cause of acne, which is a bacterial strain known as Cutibacterium acnes. Although C. acnes is notorious for creating undesirable pimples, the secretions that have been specifically designed for this purpose could now be used to treat the papules, pustules, and nodules that are linked with acne.
The bacteria known as C. acnes can be found on the skin of practically everyone, much like many other types of bacteria. This is not an issue in and of itself; in fact, it is believed that C. acnes helps to maintain good skin when other bacteria are responsible for keeping it in check. On the other hand, C. acnes can also be termed a “opportunistic” strain whether placed in the appropriate or inappropriate settings. When the microbiome of the skin becomes slightly out of whack, the populations of C. acnes can increase out of proportion with the populations of other skin bacteria. This can result in inflammation, the accumulation of sebum, and other situations that could potentially cause acne.
Both oral antibiotics and topical therapies, such as the limitless variety of acne-targeting cleansers that can be found at your neighbourhood drugstore, are used in an effort to control the populations of C. acnes. Nevertheless, these therapies are indiscriminate, and they result in dry, unhealthy skin, photosensitivity, antibiotic resistance, and other unwanted effects. This is the case regardless of whether they are creating an environment that is unfavourable to bacteria or directly killing the bacteria under consideration. The ideal treatment would concentrate just on C. acnes, which is a goal that has been just out of reach up until this point.
Researchers from Spain, France, Denmark, Germany, and Sweden have effectively engineered C. acnes to release a protein known as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, or NGAL. This achievement was accomplished via the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team of researchers. Inducing the death of sebocytes, which are cells that produce sebum and are located in the sebaceous glands of the skin, is the effect of NGAL. Like C. acnes, sebum plays an important part in maintaining healthy skin when it is maintained under control. However, when there is an excessive amount of sebum, it causes the sebaceous glands to get clogged, which leads to the development of cysts and acne.
Through the process of sequencing and then altering the genome of C. acnes, the researchers have successfully compelled the bacteria to make and secrete NGAL for the entirety of its existence. The altered C. acnes is successful at modulating sebum production in mouse models, as stated in a report that was published on Tuesday in the journal Nature Biotechnology. However, before it can be used on patients, it will first need to be tested on a human being and then undergo testing on a 3D skin model.
The researchers who conducted the study believe that engineered C. acnes, along with other bacteria that have been genetically modified, has the potential to become an effective weapon in the fight against various skin sensitivities and illnesses. Marc Guell, a bioengineer and research contributor, suggests that it might even be used to strengthen the first line of defence of the immune system. However, it is highly unlikely that this concept will be implemented anytime soon.