Scalp Microbiome and Sebum Composition in Japanese Male Individuals with and without Androgenetic Alopecia.

Kazuhiro Suzuki,Otomi Cho,Tohru Nagahama,Mizuna Inoue,Rumiko Mizutani,Yuri Shimizu,Takashi Sugita

doi:10.3390/microorganisms9102132

Kazuhiro Suzuki, Otomi Cho + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9102132

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Abstract

The skin microbiome and sebum may be associated with inflammation-related diseases of the scalp. To assess the pathogenesis and progression of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), we analyzed the composition of sebum and the bacterial and fungal microbiomes of the scalps of 118 Japanese male individuals with and without AGA, then discussed their roles in the pathogenesis of AGA. Sebum triglyceride and palmitic acid contents were higher in the AGA group than in the non-AGA group. Malassezia restricta, a lipophilic fungus that consumes palmitic acid, was abundant on the scalps of patients with AGA. Cutibacterium, Corynebacterium, and Staphylococcus were the most common genera in both groups, and patients with AGA exhibited scalp dysbiosis (increased abundance of Cutibacterium and decreased abundance of Corynebacterium). Our findings suggest that both sebum and the bacterial and fungal microbiomes of the scalp may be involved in the development of AGA.

Highlights

Malassezia restricta, a lipophilic fungus that consumes palmitic acid, was abundant on the scalps of patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA)
Genetic predisposition and hormonal changes are involved in AGA pathogenesis [5]; for instance, a genome-wide association study identified 624 genomic sites related to AGA [6]
The human body is covered with various microorganisms, which constitute a microbial society termed a “microbiome.” Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus species and Malassezia fungi predominate on the scalp [12,13]

Summary

Introduction

Malassezia restricta, a lipophilic fungus that consumes palmitic acid, was abundant on the scalps of patients with AGA. Cutibacterium, Corynebacterium, and Staphylococcus were the most common genera in both groups, and patients with AGA exhibited scalp dysbiosis (increased abundance of Cutibacterium and decreased abundance of Corynebacterium). Our findings suggest that both sebum and the bacterial and fungal microbiomes of the scalp may be involved in the development of AGA. Sebum secretion increases from puberty, peaks at 15 to 35 years of age, and declines continuously thereafter [11]. The involvement of the microbiota in scalp hypersensitivity and alopecia has been investigated. Colonization by the lipophilic C. acnes increases with increasing sebum secretion, Academic Editor: Roberto Di Marco. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations

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