The results of the study are published in the journal Nature.
Human skin is a complex environment in which only a few microorganisms survive. However, among them is the bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis, which lives in the hair follicles of most people. This bacterium has not attracted the attention of immunologists for a long time, because it was believed that it had no significant effect on human health.
However, a new study has shown that the immune system reacts to S. epidermidis much more actively than expected. Scientists have discovered that the bacterium causes the production of antibodies that can effectively protect the body from infection.
In the course of experiments on mice, scientists have proven that the application of S. epidermidis on the skin leads to the production of antibodies in concentrations comparable to traditional vaccination. After studying the structure of the bacterium, they isolated the Aap protein, which became the basis for creating a new vaccine. The modified bacterium has demonstrated high efficacy in protecting against the deadly toxins tetanus and diphtheria.
The special feature of the new method is the absence of inflammation and side effects. In the next two to three years, scientists plan to conduct clinical trials in humans. It is expected that this approach can be applied to fight various infections, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and unicellular parasites.
