Researchers have found a potential link between the skin microbiota and keloid scarring, which suggests that commensal bacteria and interleukin (IL)-8 signalling may be useful targets for interventions in recurrent keloid disease.
The findings were published in PNAS Nexus (July 2024; 3(7):273).
To explore the relationship between the skin microbiome and keloids, the paper’s authors used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess the microbial community of hospitalized patients. They collected clinical samples from keloids or normal upper eyelid skin. This assessment revealed a dysbiosis of the cutaneous microbiome between keloid lesions and non-keloidal skin.
Based on single-cell RNA sequencing, an analysis of potentially involved cytokines showed that IL-8, also known as CXCL8, is elevated in keloids and patients' circulation.
Further tests demonstrated that IL-8 could promote profibrotic events, including migration, collagen deposition, and contraction of dermal fibroblasts.
“Since the bacterial community and IL-8 expression in keloids were not previously studied, the findings provide new insights into the cause of keloid and identify signals helping the proper tissue repair,” the authors write. “Meanwhile, it will help to develop translational strategies to optimize clinical management of disease.”
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