Characterization of the skin microbiota in bullous pemphigoid patients and controls reveals novel microbial indicators of disease

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Meriem Belheouane - , Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Kiel University, Research Center Borstel - Leibniz Lung Center (Author)
  • Britt M. Hermes - , Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Kiel University (Author)
  • Nina Van Beek - , University of Lübeck (Author)
  • Sandrine Benoit - , University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Philippe Bernard - , CHU de Reims (Author)
  • Kossara Drenovska - , Medical University Sofia (Author)
  • Sascha Gerdes - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Regine Gläser - , Kiel University (Author)
  • Matthias Goebeler - , University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Claudia Günther - , Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Anabelle von Georg - , University of Lübeck (Author)
  • Christoph M. Hammers - , University of Lübeck (Author)
  • Maike M. Holtsche - , University of Lübeck (Author)
  • Bernhard Homey - , University Hospital Duesseldorf (Author)
  • Orsolya N. Horváth - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Author)
  • Franziska Hübner - , University of Lübeck (Author)
  • Beke Linnemann - , University of Lübeck (Author)
  • Pascal Joly - , CHU Hôpitaux de Rouen (Author)
  • Dalma Márton - , Semmelweis University (Author)
  • Aikaterini Patsatsi - , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Author)
  • Claudia Pföhler - , Saarland University (Author)
  • Miklós Sárdy - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Semmelweis University (Author)
  • Laura Huilaja - , University of Oulu (Author)
  • Snejina Vassileva - , Medical University Sofia (Author)
  • Detlef Zillikens - , University of Lübeck (Author)
  • Saleh Ibrahim - , University of Lübeck, University of Sharjah (Author)
  • Christian D. Sadik - , University of Lübeck (Author)
  • Enno Schmidt - , University of Lübeck (Author)
  • John F. Baines - , Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Kiel University (Author)

Abstract

Introduction: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune blistering disease. It predominately afflicts the elderly and is significantly associated with increased mortality. The observation of age-dependent changes in the skin microbiota as well as its involvement in other inflammatory skin disorders suggests that skin microbiota may play a role in the emergence of BP blistering. We hypothesize that changes in microbial diversity associated with BP might occur before the emergence of disease lesions, and thus could represent an early indicator of blistering risk. Objectives: The present study aims to investigate potential relationships between skin microbiota and BP and elaborate on important changes in microbial diversity associated with blistering in BP. Methods: The study consisted of an extensive sampling effort of the skin microbiota in patients with BP and age- and sex-matched controls to analyze whether intra-individual, body site, and/or geographical variation correlate with changes in skin microbial composition in BP and/or blistering status. Results: We find significant differences in the skin microbiota of patients with BP compared to that of controls, and moreover that disease status rather than skin biogeography (body site) governs skin microbiota composition in patients with BP. Our data reveal a discernible transition between normal skin and the skin surrounding BP lesions, which is characterized by a loss of protective microbiota and an increase in sequences matching Staphylococcus aureus, a known inflammation-promoting species. Notably, Staphylococcus aureus is ubiquitously associated with BP disease status, regardless of the presence of blisters. Conclusion: The present study suggests Staphylococcus aureus may be a key taxon associated with BP disease status. Importantly, we however find contrasting patterns in the relative abundances of Staphylococcus hominis and Staphylococcus aureus reliably discriminate between patients with BP and matched controls. This may serve as valuable information for assessing blistering risk and treatment outcomes in a clinical setting.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)71-79
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Advanced Research
Volume44 (2023)
Early online date4 Apr 2022
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 35581140
ORCID /0000-0002-4330-1861/work/151982044

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • 16s rRNA gene sequencing, Autoimmune blistering disease, Bullous pemphigoid, Risk factor, Skin microbiota