Probiotics and synbiotics are used to treat chronic illnesses due to their roles in immune system modulation and anti-inflammatory response. They have been shown to reduce inflammation in a number of immune-related disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD). Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prausnitzii) are two different types of bacteria that play a significant part in this function. It has been established that Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium are abundant in normal populations and have protective benefits on digestive health while also enhancing the immune system, metabolism, and gut barrier of the host. They have the potential to be a therapeutic target in diseases connected to the microbiota, such as immunological disorders and cancer immunotherapy. There has not been a review of the anti-inflammatory effects of Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium, particularly in immunological diseases. In this review, we highlight the most recent scientific findings regarding A. muciniphila and F. prausnitzii as two significant gut microbiota for microbiome alterations and seek to provide cutting-edge insight in terms of microbiome-targeted therapies as promising preventive and therapeutic tools in immune-related diseases and cancer immunotherapy.

Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) created within the intestinal lumen by bacterial fermentation of largely undigested dietary carbohydrates. Its beneficial effects on cellular energy metabolism and intestinal homeostasis have garnered significant attention among SCFAs. Butyrate also has systemic effects and is known to regulate the immune system. Most of the butyrate and other SCFAs are produced in the human colon, through the fermentation of dietary fiber or resistant starch. However, the modern diet often lacks sufficient intake of fermentable dietary fiber, which can lead to low butyrate levels in the colon. To increase butyrate levels, it is helpful to incorporate fiber sources into meals and drinks that rely on slow bacterial fermentation. Butyrate is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has a range of immune system-related properties. As an agonist for GPR41, GPR43, or GPR109A, butyrate may have anti-inflammatory effects through these receptors’ signaling pathways. Butyrate also serves as an epigenetic regulator, responding to environmental or pharmacological changes by inhibiting HDAC, up-regulating miR-7a-5p, and promoting histone butyrylation and autophagy processes. This review discusses the importance of butyrate in regulating immunological homeostasis and the inflammatory response. It also addresses experimental models and human studies investigating the therapeutic potential of butyrate supplementation in immune-related conditions linked to butyrate depletion. Specifically, it covers the role of butyrate in some immune-related diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, human immunodeficiency virus, cancer, and several other special conditions.

Introduction: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common and chronic disorder of the pilosebaceous unit and has a multifactorial pathology, including activities of Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). Antibiotic resistance has become a major concern in dermatology daily practice, and the ability of biofilm formation by both bacteria is suggested to increase antibiotic resistance in acne. Purpose: Our aim was to analyze the comparison of antibiotic resistance between biofilm-forming (BF) and non-biofilm-forming (NBF) strains of C. acnes and S. epidermidis towards seven antibiotics commonly used for acne. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical study involving 60 patients with AV. Samples were obtained from closed comedones on the forehead using the standardized skin surface biopsy (SSSB) method at the Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic Dr. Hasan Sadikin in Bandung, Indonesia. Isolates were cultured and identified before undergoing the biofilm-forming test using the tissue culture plate method. Antibiotic susceptibility testing for each antibiotic was then performed using the disc diffusion method. Results: The incidence of antibiotic resistance to clindamycin in BF and NBF C. acnes isolates was 54.5% (p=1.00), while in BF and NBF S. epidermidis isolates, it was 54.5% and 45.5% respectively (p=0.67). The incidence of antibiotic resistance to erythromycin and azithromycin in BF and NBF C. acnes isolates was 54.5% and 63.6% respectively (p=1.00), whereas for S. epidermidis BF and NBF isolates, it was 54.5% (p=1.00). There was no resistance observed to tetracycline, doxycycline, levofloxacin, and cotrimoxazole in all groups. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in resistance against seven antibiotics between the C. acnes and S. epidermidis in BF and NBF groups. Furthermore, although statistically not significant, some resistances were observed against clindamycin, erythromycin, and azithromycin. Consequently, the use of these three antibiotics should be judiciously regulated.

LL-37 is a membrane-active antimicrobial peptide (AMP) that could disrupt the integrity of bacterial membranes due to its inherent cationic and amphipathic nature. Developing a shorter derivative of a long peptide such as LL-37 is of great interest, as it can reduce production costs and cytotoxicity. However, more detailed information about the residual interaction between LL-37 and the membrane is required for further optimization. Previously, molecular dynamics simulation using mixed all-atom and united-atom force fields showed that LL-37 could penetrate the bilayer membrane. This study aimed to perform all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, highlighting the residual interaction of LL-37 with the simplest model of the bacterial membrane, POPE:POPG (2:1), and compare its interaction with the POPC, which represents the eukaryotic membrane. The result showed leucine–leucine as the leading residues of LL-37 that first contact the membrane surface. Then, the cationic peptide of LL-37 started to penetrate the membrane by developing salt bridges between positively charged amino acids, Lys–Arg, and the exposed phosphate group of POPE:POPG, which is shielded in POPC. Residues 18 to 29 are suggested as the core region of LL-37, as they actively interact with the POPE:POPG membrane, not POPC. These results could provide a basis for modifying the amino acid sequence of LL-37 and developing a more efficient design for LL-37 derivatives.

Non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis (non-LCH) is a group of diseases characterized by the proliferation of histiocytes in tissues that is excluded from the diagnostic criteria for LCH. Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) and benign cephalic histiocytosis (BCH) are the most common types of cutaneous non-LCH. These two diseases share similarities in both clinical and histological features, therefore, they can be difficult to differentiate. Thorough physical, dermoscopic, and histopathological examinations are required to distinguish between JXG and BCH. We hereby present two rare cases of non-LCH in pediatric patients, presented with JXG and BCH. The dermoscopic examination of both cases showed a setting-sun appearance, while the histopathological examination revealed Touton giant cells in the JXG case, and massive lymphocyte infiltration in the BCH case. Both patients were treated with 1% topical rapamycin in a split-side comparison for the first 12 weeks, followed by applications on both sides for a total duration of 24 weeks. As a result, there was a significant reduction in the size of the lesion, leading to patient’s satisfaction. Rapamycin is an immunosuppressive agent with antineoplastic activity. Rapamycin can be used as an alternative non-invasive topical treatment option for JXG and BCH. However, long-term observations are required to assess its effectiveness and side effects.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between melatonin levels and sleep quality, based on the Children’s Sleep Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ), among children with atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods: This was an analytic study with a cross-sectional design involving two groups, AD children as the case group and participants without AD as the control group, conducted at the Pediatric Dermatology Clinic of Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia. Melatonin levels and CSHQ score in the case group were compared to that in the control group. Correlation analysis was performed between melatonin levels and sleep quality based on CSHQ in the case group. Results: Participants in this study consisted of 19 children with moderate AD, (no patient with mild and severe AD was recruited), and 19 participants without AD. The mean CSHQ score in the case group was significantly higher than the control group (47.84 vs 36.79; p< 0.05). The mean melatonin level in the case group was significantly lower than the control group (320.18 pg/mL vs 383.86 pg/mL; p< 0.05). Comparative analysis was conducted using independent t-test. There was a significant Pearson’s correlation index between SCORAD and CSHQ (p< 0.05). However, there was no correlation between melatonin levels and CSHQ, as well as between melatonin levels and SCORAD (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Children with moderate AD have impaired sleep quality and lower melatonin levels compared to controls. No correlation was found between melatonin levels and CSHQ, as well as melatonin levels and SCORAD, although there was a strong and significant correlation between SCORAD and CSHQ. Therefore, melatonin levels may not be the main cause of sleep disturbances in children with moderate AD.