The Skin Microbiome: Current Landscape and Future Opportunities

Smythe, Paisleigh; Wilkinson, Holly N.

Abstract

Our skin is the largest organ of the body, serving as an important barrier against the harsh extrinsic environment. Alongside preventing desiccation, chemical damage and hypothermia, this barrier protects the body from invading pathogens through a sophisticated innate immune response and co-adapted consortium of commensal microorganisms, collectively termed the microbiota. These microorganisms inhabit distinct biogeographical regions dictated by skin physiology. Thus, it follows that perturbations to normal skin homeostasis, as occurs with ageing, diabetes and skin disease, can cause microbial dysbiosis and increase infection risk. In this review, we discuss emerging concepts in skin microbiome research, highlighting pertinent links between skin ageing, the microbiome and cutaneous repair. Moreover, we address gaps in current knowledge and highlight key areas requiring further exploration. Future advances in this field could revolutionise the way we treat microbial dysbiosis associated with skin ageing and other pathologies.

Citation

Smythe, P., & Wilkinson, H. N. (2023). The Skin Microbiome: Current Landscape and Future Opportunities. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(4), Article 3950. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043950

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Feb 12, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Feb 16, 2023
• Publication Date: Feb 2, 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 2, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 2, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Electronic ISSN: 1422-0067
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 4
• Article Number: 3950
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043950
• Keywords: Microbiome; Skin; Ageing; Senescence; Wound healing; Infection; Antimicrobials; Metagenomics; Skin models
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4234185