Effects of cosmetic ingredients on growth and virulence factor expression in <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>: a comparison between culture medium and <i>in vitro</i> skin model medium

Yuya Uehara; Yuko Shimamura; Chika Takemura; Shiori Suzuki; Shuichi Masuda; Yuya Uehara; Yuko Shimamura; Chika Takemura; Shiori Suzuki; Shuichi Masuda

doi:10.3934/microbiol.2025002

AIMS Microbiology

2025, Volume 11, Issue 1: 22-39. doi: 10.3934/microbiol.2025002

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Research article

Effects of cosmetic ingredients on growth and virulence factor expression in Staphylococcus aureus: a comparison between culture medium and in vitro skin model medium

School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan

Received: 03 July 2024 Revised: 16 November 2024 Accepted: 17 December 2024 Published: 24 December 2024

The effect of cosmetic ingredients on growth and virulence factor expression in Staphylococcus aureus may vary between culture medium and skin. Researchers have used an in vitro skin model with human heel callus to assess bacterial survival and growth on the stratum corneum of the epidermis. Here, we reconstituted a skin model using keratin as a base (instead of callus) and compared it with brain heart infusion (BHI) medium. We investigated the effects of five cosmetic ingredients (macadamia nut oil, sodium myristoyl methyl taurate, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, 2-phenoxyethanol, and zinc oxide) on growth and virulence factor expression in S. aureus. Interestingly, the survival pattern of S. aureus in our skin model was similar to that reported in models using callus. Upon the addition of cosmetic ingredients to BHI or skin model medium, the sensitivity of S. aureus to these cosmetic ingredients differed between the two media. Notably, after adding the two tested cosmetic ingredients, the expression level of staphylococcal enterotoxin A in S. aureus reduced significantly in skin model medium compared with that in the BHI medium. Additionally, the expression levels of other S. aureus virulence factors (RNAIII, icaA, and hlb) differed between the two media. These findings suggest that our skin model is a valuable tool for evaluating the effects of cosmetic ingredients on growth and virulence factor expression in S. aureus.
- in vitro skin model,
- Staphylococcus aureus,
- cosmetic ingredients,
- virulence factor,
- staphylococcal enterotoxin A
Citation: Yuya Uehara, Yuko Shimamura, Chika Takemura, Shiori Suzuki, Shuichi Masuda. Effects of cosmetic ingredients on growth and virulence factor expression in Staphylococcus aureus: a comparison between culture medium and in vitro skin model medium[J]. AIMS Microbiology, 2025, 11(1): 22-39. doi: 10.3934/microbiol.2025002

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Abstract

The effect of cosmetic ingredients on growth and virulence factor expression in Staphylococcus aureus may vary between culture medium and skin. Researchers have used an in vitro skin model with human heel callus to assess bacterial survival and growth on the stratum corneum of the epidermis. Here, we reconstituted a skin model using keratin as a base (instead of callus) and compared it with brain heart infusion (BHI) medium. We investigated the effects of five cosmetic ingredients (macadamia nut oil, sodium myristoyl methyl taurate, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, 2-phenoxyethanol, and zinc oxide) on growth and virulence factor expression in S. aureus. Interestingly, the survival pattern of S. aureus in our skin model was similar to that reported in models using callus. Upon the addition of cosmetic ingredients to BHI or skin model medium, the sensitivity of S. aureus to these cosmetic ingredients differed between the two media. Notably, after adding the two tested cosmetic ingredients, the expression level of staphylococcal enterotoxin A in S. aureus reduced significantly in skin model medium compared with that in the BHI medium. Additionally, the expression levels of other S. aureus virulence factors (RNAIII, icaA, and hlb) differed between the two media. These findings suggest that our skin model is a valuable tool for evaluating the effects of cosmetic ingredients on growth and virulence factor expression in S. aureus.

Acknowledgments

We thank KOSÉ Corporation for providing cosmetic ingredients for this study. We also thank Ruka Suzuki, Seiko Ota, and Ikuko Aoki of KOSÉ Corporation for their assistance in selecting versatile cosmetic ingredients. This research was funded by grants from the KOSÉ Cosmetology Research Foundation and a grant for specially promoted research of the University of Shizuoka.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Author contributions

Conceptualization, Y.S. and S.M.; methodology, Y.S.; validation, C.T.; formal analysis, Y.U., Y.S., C.T. and S.S.; data curation, Y.S. and S.M.; writing—original draft preparation, Y.U.; writing—review and editing, Y.S. and S.M.; visualization, Y.U. and Y.S.; project administration, S.M.; and funding acquisition, Y.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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