558 The Bacterial Metabolite, Butyrate, Prolongs Anagen and Promotes Autophagy, Mitochondrial Activity, Melanogenesis and Antimicrobial Peptide Production in Human Scalp Hair Follicles

Abstract

Human hair follicles (HFs) display an unusually rich microbiome, which is dominated by Cutibacterium, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium and Malassezia species that interact with the host immune system. Yet, while dysbiosis of the HF microbiome is associated with several HF diseases, it is largely unknown how these commensals impact on human HF physiology. Since S. epidermidis, a major human HF microbiome constituent, prominently secretes butyrate, we evaluated whether this bacterial metabolite impacts on key HF physiology read-outs.