Abstract
Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in polluted air influences the composition of the skin microbiome, which in turn is associated with altered skin phenotypes. However, the interactions between PAH exposure and viromes are unclear. This study aims to elucidate how PAH exposure affects the composition and function of skin viruses, their role in shaping the metabolism of bacterial hosts, and the subsequent effects on skin phenotype. We analyzed metagenomes from cheek skin swabs collected from 124 Chinese women in our previous study and found that the viruses associated with the two microbiome cutotypes had distinct diversities, compositions, functions, and lifestyles following PAH exposure. Moreover, exposure to high concentrations of PAHs substantially increased interactions between viruses and certain biodegrading bacteria. Under high-PAH exposure, the viruses were enriched in xenobiotic degradation functions, and there was evidence suggesting that the insertion of bacteriophage-encoded auxiliary metabolic genes into hosts aids biodegradation. Under low-PAH exposure conditions, the interactions followed the "Piggyback-the-Winner" model, with Cutibacterium acnes being "winners," whereas under high-PAH exposure, they followed the "Piggyback-the-Persistent" model, with biodegradation bacteria being "persistent." These findings highlight the impact of air pollutants on skin bacteria and viruses, their interactions, and their modulation of skin health. Understanding these intricate relationships could provide insights for developing targeted strategies to maintain skin health in polluted environments, emphasizing the importance of mitigating pollutant exposure and harnessing the potential of viruses to help counteract the adverse effects.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.