Biology subjects

Zeeuwen, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Zeeuwen, P..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Blood, sweat, and beers: investigating mosquito biting preferences amidst noise and intoxication in a cross-sectional cohort study at a large music festival

IntroductionWe live in a world split between mosquito magnets and those lucky enough to remain (nearly) untouched. The reasons why some people attract more mosquito bites than others remain largely mysterious. In the Mosquito Magnet Trial, we investigated differences in mosquito attraction amongst festivalgoers with varying levels of hygiene and intoxication. MethodsOur study was conducted in a slightly steamy pop-up laboratory inside four connected shipping containers at Lowlands Festival in The Netherlands (August 18-20, 2023). Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire on hygiene, diet, and festival-related behaviour (including alcohol uptake and shared sleeping arrangements). Mosquito attraction was measured using a custom designed setup: a transparent cage with perforations where female Anopheles mosquitoes were offered a choice between a sugar-feeder and the participants arm. Mosquitoes could only smell, not bite, the participants arm. Attraction was quantified through video imaging, measuring arm landings relative to total landings. Mosquito attraction was correlated with questionnaire responses and skin microbiota profiles collected from forearm skin swabs. ResultsAmongst the 465 included participants, mosquitoes showed a clear fondness for those who drank beer over those who abstained from the liquid gold (Fold Change 1.35, 95% CI 1.12-1.63, PFDR<0.001). Attraction was also contagious: participants that successfully lured a fellow human into their tent the previous night also proved more enticing to mosquitoes (FC 1.34, 95% CI 1.14-1.58, PFDR=0.002). Meanwhile, skipping the morning showering routine and using sunscreen reduced mosquito attraction (FC 0.52, 95% 0.38-0.70, PFDR<0.001). Streptococci were more abundant on the skin of highly attractive individuals (Puncorrected=0.017), and the overall abundance of malodour associated bacteria was high - possibly reflecting the containers smell. ConclusionThe Mosquito Magnet Trial, to our knowledge the largest study of its kind, was conducted in a loosely controlled setting with a selection bias towards science loving festivalgoers. That said, using our custom designed experimental set-up, we found that mosquitoes are drawn to those who avoid sunscreen, drink beer, and share their bed. They simply have a taste for the hedonists among us.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2023

Advanced methodology for bacterial colonization of 3D organotypic epidermal models: a gateway to long-term host-microbe interaction and intervention studies

BackgroundFollowing descriptive studies on skin microbiota in health and disease, mechanistic studies on the interplay between skin and microbes are on the rise, for which experimental models are in great demand. Here, we present a novel methodology for microbial colonization of organotypic skin and analysis thereof. ResultsAn inoculation device ensured a standardized application area on the stratum corneum and a homogenous distribution of bacteria, while preventing infection of the basolateral culture medium even during prolonged co-culture periods for up to two weeks at a specific culture temperature and humidity. Hereby, host-microbe interactions and antibiotic interventions could be studied, revealing diverse host responses to various skin-related bacteria and pathogens. ConclusionsOur methodology is easily transferable to a wide variety of organotypic skin or mucosal models and different microbes at every cell culture facility at low costs. We envision that this study will kick-start skin microbiome studies using human organotypic skin cultures, providing a powerful alternative to experimental animal models in pre-clinical research.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor regulates epidermal differentiation through transient activation of TFAP2A

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is an evolutionary conserved environmental sensor identified as indispensable regulator of epithelial homeostasis and barrier organ function. Molecular signaling cascade and target genes upon AHR activation and their contribution to cell and tissue function are however not fully understood. Multi-omics analyses using human skin keratinocytes revealed that, upon ligand activation, AHR binds open chromatin to induce expression of transcription factors (TFs), e.g., Transcription Factor AP-2 (TFAP2A), as a swift response to environmental stimuli. The terminal differentiation program including upregulation of barrier genes, filaggrin and keratins, was mediated by TFAP2A as a secondary response to AHR activation. The role of AHR-TFAP2A axis in controlling keratinocyte terminal differentiation for proper barrier formation was further confirmed using CRISPR/Cas9 in human epidermal equivalents. Overall, the study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanism behind AHR-mediated barrier function and potential novel targets for the treatment of skin barrier diseases.

cell biology↗