Antagonism between Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes and its genomic basis. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Christensen, Gitte; Scholz, Christian; Enghild, Jan; Rohde, Holger; Kilian, Mogens; Thürmer, Andrea; Brzuszkiewicz, Elzbieta; Lomholt, Hans; Brüggemann, Holger
• Is Part Of: BMC genomics. Volume 17:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Staphylococcus epidermidis -- Propionibacterium acnes -- Skin microbiota -- Bacterial antagonism -- Antimicrobial substance -- Bacteriocin -- epidermin -- ESAT-6 secretion system -- Polymorphic toxin; Genomes -- Periodicals; Gene mapping -- Periodicals; Genomics -- Periodicals; Base Sequence -- Periodicals; Chromosome Mapping -- Periodicals; Genetic Techniques -- Periodicals; Sequence Analysis, DNA -- Periodicals; 572.8605
• DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2489-5
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2164

Abstract

Abstract Background Propionibacterium acnes andStaphylococcus epidermidis live in close proximity on human skin, and both bacterial species can be isolated from normal and acne vulgaris-affected skin sites. The antagonistic interactions between the two species are poorly understood, as well as the potential significance of bacterial interferences for the skin microbiota. Here, we performed simultaneous antagonism assays to detect inhibitory activities between multiple isolates of the two species. Selected strains were sequenced to identify the genomic basis of their antimicrobial phenotypes. Results First, we screened 77P. acnes strains isolated from healthy and acne-affected skin, and representing all known phylogenetic clades (I, II, and III), for their antimicrobial activities against 12 S. epidermidis isolates. One particular phylogroup (I-2) exhibited a higher antimicrobial activity than otherP. acnes phylogroups. All genomes of type I-2 strains carry an island encoding the biosynthesis of a thiopeptide with possible antimicrobial activity againstS. epidermidis . Second, 20 S. epidermidis isolates were examined for inhibitory activity against 25P. acnes strains. The majority ofS. epidermidis strains were able to inhibitP. acnes . Genomes ofS. epidermidis strains with strong, medium and no inhibitory activities againstP. acnes were sequenced. Genome comparison underlined the diversity ofS. epidermidis and detected multiple clade- or strain-specific mobile genetic elements encoding a variety of functions important in antibiotic and stress resistance, biofilm formation and interbacterial competition, including bacteriocins such as epidermin. One isolate with an extraordinary antimicrobial activity againstP. acnes harbors a functional ESAT-6 secretion system that might be involved in the antimicrobial activity againstP. acnes via the secretion of polymorphic toxins. Conclusions Taken together, our study suggests that interspecies interactions could potentially jeopardize balances in the skin microbiota. In particular, S. epidermidis strains possess an arsenal of different mechanisms to inhibitP. acnes . However, if such interactions are relevant in skin disorders such as acne vulgaris remains questionable, since no difference in the antimicrobial activity against, or the sensitivity towardsS. epidermidis could be detected between health- and acne-associated strains ofP. acnes .