New
research has shown that the most common bacteria on human skin secrete a
protein which protects us from the reactive oxygen species thought to
contribute to several skin diseases. The protein has an equally strong effect
on dangerous oxygen species as known antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin
E.
The
skin bacterium is called Propionibacterium
acnes. The "acne-causing bacterium" secretes a protein called
RoxP. This protein protects against what is known as oxidative stress, a
condition in which reactive oxygen species damage cells. A common cause of
oxidative stress on the skin is UV radiation from the sun.
Oxidative
stress is considered to be a contributing factor in several skin diseases,
including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and skin cancer.
Since
Propionibacterium acnes is so common,
it is present in both healthy individuals and people with skin diseases.
According to Rolf Lood, however, people have different amounts of the bacterium
on their skin, and it can also produce more or less of the protective protein
RoxP.
This
will now be further investigated in both patients and laboratory animals by
Lood and his team. The human study will compare patients with basal cell
carcinoma, a pre-cancerous condition called actinic keratosis and a healthy
control group. The study will be able to show whether there is any connection
between the degree of illness and the amount of RoxP on the patient's skin.
The
study on laboratory animals will also examine whether RoxP also functions as
protection. Here, mice who have been given RoxP and others who have not will be
exposed to UV radiation. The researchers will then observe whether the RoxP
mice have a better outcome than those who were not given the protective protein.
For
further details see:
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle
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Pharmaceutical Microbiology