A representative hematoxylin and eosin staining of UV-induced skin tumor or skin obtained from SKH-1 mice colonized by S. epidermidis 1457 or MO34, respectively, treated with UV-B for 12 weeks.

Could skin microbiota reduce cancer risk?

Researchers from the Department of Dermatology of the University of California have a commensal strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis that protects against skin neoplasia. This strain produces 6-N-hydroxyaminopurine (6-HAP), a molecule that inhibits DNA polymerase activity. Mice colonized with this strain have a reduced incidence of ultraviolet-induced tumors compared to control mice (colonized with Read more…