Title : Extracellular vesicles from indigenous Lactobacillus Plantarum: A novel approach to combat skin pathogens S. aureus and P. acnes
Abstract:
The skin microbiota, comprising a diverse community of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health. This complex ecosystem serves as a protective barrier and influences the immune response. Dysbiosis within the skin microbiome has been associated with altered immune responses, contributing to various conditions, including skin cancer. As the global shift towards health-conscious living continues, probiotics have emerged as valuable therapeutic agents. Probiotics, particularly the genus Lactobacillus, are recognized for their health- promoting properties when administered in adequate doses. This study focuses on extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from indigenous Lactobacillus probiotic isolates, exploring their potential in combating skin pathogens associated with acne vulgaris and atopic dermatitis. A total of 40 Lactobacillus strains were isolated from fecal samples collected in the Jammu region, India. These isolates were screened for their probiotic potential following ICMR guidelines, including tolerance to lysozyme (81–99%), bile salts (81–92%), acidic conditions, auto-aggregation (39–50%), and hydrophobicity (6–53%). Twenty positive isolates of L. plantarum were further evaluated for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes using the agar well diffusion assay. two isolates, LpJ5 and LpJ15, exhibited significant antibacterial activity, with 24 mm and 26 mm inhibition zones, respectively. To investigate the therapeutic potential of EVs, we isolated vesicles from the two most promising isolates using ultracentrifugation. The EVs were characterized for their nanosized shape and structure using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Functional analysis of these EVs revealed antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. acnes, indicating the presence of bioactive substances within the vesicles. These findings highlight the potential of EVs from L. plantarum isolates as an innovative, alternative treatment for skin-related disorders. These vesicles could pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches, leveraging the benefits of probiotics in dermatological applications. This research underscores the significance of indigenous probiotic-derived EVs in addressing unmet needs in skin health.
Keywords: Lactobacillus, TEM, NTA, Extracellular Vesicles, S. aureus, P. acnes
