Skin commensals shape the clock-ferroptosis axis to preserve barrier function in psoriasis
Psoriasis ranks among the most prevalent chronic inflammatory dermatoses worldwide and is accompanied by significant alterations in the skin microbiota. In this study, we confirmed microbial dysbiosis in psoriatic lesions and observed a reduction in Lactobacillus . Further functional screening showed that topical administration of Lactobacillus plantarum alleviated psoriatic lesions. Mechanistically, L. plantarum produces indole-3-lactic acid, which restores circadian rhythmicity in keratinocytes, thereby suppressing ferroptosis and promoting epidermal barrier repair. These findings highlight the contribution of the cutaneous microbiota to epidermal barrier restoration in psoriasis and support the therapeutic potential of L. plantarum and its metabolite ILA as clinical interventions.
Authors
- Evan Sweren (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6664-8174)
- Piao Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9662-8094)
- Yihan Lin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2763-5538)
- Silu Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5336-5650)
- Gaofeng Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5028-9717)
- Yunmin Zhu
- Yiwen Han
- Yuxuan Luo
- Changzhou Li
- Rongrong Wu
- Peiyang Chen
- Zhen Lin
- Yu Wang
- Xinyu Huang
- Yue Li
- Martin P. Alphonse
- Chen Jin
- Dongqiang Zeng
- Lan Yang
- Yuxin Zheng
- Lu Chen
Institutions
- Johns Hopkins University (US)
- Wenzhou Medical University (CN)
- University of Michigan (US)
- Johns Hopkins Medicine (US)
- Nanfang Hospital (CN)
- Zhujiang Hospital (CN)
- Advanced MicroLabs (United States) (US)
- Southern Medical University Shenzhen Hospital (CN)
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University (CN)
- Southern Medical University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cell Reports
- Published
- 2026-09-17
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2026.118012
- Primary Topic
- Ferroptosis and cancer prognosis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
- Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province
- Major Projects of Guangdong Education Department for Foundation Research and Applied Research