Assessment of the protective and anti-pollution effect of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus in 3D Skin Models: synergy with antarctic fungal metabolites

• Grant number: 25/01533-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: February 29, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Lorena Rigo Gaspar Cordeiro
• Grantee: Isadora de Jesus da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Exposure to environmental pollution and UV radiation is associated to human skin damage, including changes in the microbiota, dermatitis, and other chronic conditions such as allergies, psoriasis, and eczema. Previous studies by our research group have demonstrated the photoprotective potential of compounds obtained from the cultivation of the endophytic fungus Cladosporium halotolerans from the Antarctic marine alga Phaeurus antarcticus. The obtained fraction showed absorption in the UVB (280-320 nm) and UVA II (320-340 nm) regions, photostability, absence of phototoxicity (even in the presence of particulate matter, PM), and irritation. Additionally, it inhibited approximately 64% of UVA-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cell cultures and 49% in reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) models. This project aims to evaluate the protective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pollution effects of the skin-resident bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus in 3D skin models, as well as their synergism with metabolites produced by C. halotolerans. For this purpose, the scale-up cultivation of the fungus in a bioreactor will be carried out, along with the identification of UV-absorbing substances present in the promising fraction. Reconstructed human skin models infected with bacteria will be standardized regarding incubation time and microbial load. To assess the protective and anti-pollution potential, the models (infected or not) will be treated with fungal metabolites and exposed to UVA radiation and the Vitrocell Cloud¿ platform, which simulates environmental pollution. Complementary assays will be conducted, including gene expression analysis and the evaluation of inflammatory cytokine expression and release using RT-PCR and ELISA. (AU)