Studying microbiote competition and skin interaction using organotypic 3d skin models

The skin microbiome plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin Microbiome dysbiosis is known to lead to skin conditions like dermatitis and acne Although it is relatively easy to study effect of ingredients on individual micro organisms it is hard to extrapolate these results to a complex skin system harboring multiple micro organisms In this study we characterized the best conditions for the introduction of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes in organotypic skin models to evaluate bacteria competition and regulation by active ingredients The colonization and growth of the two species were analysed using microscopic visualization and Colony Forming Unit assay after bacteria recovery from artificial tissues We showed that Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes could both efficiently colonize reconstructed skin models under specific conditions and react to active ingredients treatment To our knowledge this is the first study that evidences multi germ interactions in D skin models which is suitable to promote active ingredient selection for a healthier micro flora balance