In 2019, StratiCELL, a CRO specialized in in vitro dermo-cosmetic testing, opened its MicroBIOS Platform dedicated to skin microbiota research. Since then, it has been steadily increasing its activities! Indeed, beyond the colonization of reconstructed epidermis with bacterial strains such as Cutibacterieum acnes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, StratiCELL now offers a model of infection by the yeast Malassezia furfur involved in seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff development. After improvement in the culture method of this lipophilic yeast, StratiCELL now controls its growth on the stratum corneum of reconstructed epidermis, thus offering an interesting model for in vitro objectification (figure 1).
Like its 3D models for acne and staphylococci, the originality of the new 3D model related to M. furfur infection lies in the dual study approach proposed by StratiCELL. Indeed, the efficacy of dermo-cosmetic compounds or formulations to interact with the cutaneous microflora can be investigated both in terms of its impact on the growth of the microorganism on top of the epidermis, and in terms of its impact on the response of the epidermis to this infectious context. More precisely, StratiCELL carefully selected 93 biomarkers related to the skin’s response to bacterial and fungal infections, and enables the simultaneous monitoring of their expression by RT-qPCR (figure 2).
Finally, in addition to the data collected from this transcriptomic analysis, a quantification of key proteins secreted in the culture medium of tissues colonized by M. furfur can be obtained by ELISA (Figure 3).
In conclusion, the 3D skin model of M. furfur infection and associated tests proposed by StratiCELL, represent a new promising in vitro efficacy testing tool which should allow to accelerate dermo-cosmetic innovations targeting the cutaneous flora. To follow the evolution of the MicroBIOS Platform, visit www.StratiCELL.com, or contact StratiCELL at info@StratiCELL.com
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