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Epidermal barrier impairment predisposes for excessive growth of the allergy-associated yeast Malassezia on murine skin
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  • Salomé LeibundGut-Landmann,
  • Fiorella Ruchti,
  • Pascale Zwicky,
  • Burkhard Becher,
  • Sandrine Dubrac
Salomé LeibundGut-Landmann
Universitat Zurich Vetsuisse-Fakultat

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Fiorella Ruchti
Universitat Zurich Vetsuisse-Fakultat
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Pascale Zwicky
Universitat Zurich Institut fur Experimentelle Immunologie
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Burkhard Becher
Universitat Zurich Institut fur Experimentelle Immunologie
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Sandrine Dubrac
Landeskrankenhaus Innsbruck Universitatsklinik fur Dermatologie Venerologie und Allergologie
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Abstract

The skin barrier is vital for protection against environmental threats including insults caused by skin-resident microbes. Dysregulation of this barrier is a hallmark of atopic dermatitis (AD) and ichthyosis, with variable consequences for host immune control of colonizing commensals and opportunistic pathogens. While Malassezia is the most abundant commensal fungus of the skin, little is known about the host control of this fungus in inflammatory skin diseases. Here we show that in barrier-impaired skin, Malassezia acquires enhanced fitness and overt growth properties. By using four distinct and complementary murine models of atopic dermatitis and ichthyosis we provide evidence that structural and metabolic changes in the dysfunctional epidermal barrier environment provide increased accessibility and an altered lipid profile, to which the lipid-dependent yeast adapts for enhanced nutrient assimilation. These findings reveal fundamental insights into the implication of the mycobiota in the pathogenesis of common skin barrier disorders.
27 Oct 2023Submitted to Allergy
27 Oct 2023Submission Checks Completed
27 Oct 2023Assigned to Editor
27 Oct 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
31 Oct 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Nov 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor