Staphylococcus aureus
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyLangerhans Cells Sense Staphylococcus aureus Wall Teichoic Acid through Langerin To Induce Inflammatory ResponsesThe bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of skin infections and is also associated with the occurrence and severity of eczema. Langerhans cells (LCs), a specific subset of skin immune cells, participate in the immune response to S. aureus, but it is yet unclear how LCs recognize...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyProtease-Mediated Growth of Staphylococcus aureus on Host Proteins Is opp3 DependentStaphylococcus aureus has the ability to cause infections in a variety of niches, suggesting a robust metabolic capacity facilitating proliferation under various nutrient conditions. The mature skin abscess is glucose depleted, indicating that peptides and free amino acids are important sources of nutrients for...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyBinding of Staphylococcus aureus Protein A to von Willebrand Factor Is Regulated by Mechanical ForceStaphylococcus aureus protein A (SpA) binds to von Willebrand factor (vWF) under flow. While vWF binding to SpA plays a role in S. aureus adherence to platelets and endothelial cells under shear stress, the molecular basis of this stress-dependent interaction has not yet been elucidated. Here we...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyStaphylococcal Superantigens Stimulate Epithelial Cells through CD40 To Produce ChemokinesMenstrual toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a serious infectious disease associated with vaginal colonization by Staphylococcus aureus producing the exotoxin TSS toxin 1 (TSST-1). We show that menstrual TSS occurs after TSST-1 interaction with an immune costimulatory molecule called CD40 on the surface of vaginal epithelial cells. Other related toxins, where the entire...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyManganese Detoxification by MntE Is Critical for Resistance to Oxidative Stress and Virulence of Staphylococcus aureusManganese (Mn) is generally viewed as a critical nutrient that is beneficial to pathogenic bacteria due to its function as an enzymatic cofactor and its capability of acting as an antioxidant; yet paradoxically, high concentrations of this transition metal can be toxic. In this work, we demonstrate Staphylococcus aureus utilizes the cation diffusion facilitator (CDF)...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Small RNA Teg41 Regulates Expression of the Alpha Phenol-Soluble Modulins and Is Required for Virulence in Staphylococcus aureusThe alpha phenol-soluble modulins (αPSMs) are among the most potent toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus. Their biological role during infection has been studied in detail; however, the way they are produced by the bacterial cell is not well understood. In this work, we identify a small RNA molecule called Teg41 that plays an important role in αPSM production by...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyCorynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum Exploits Staphylococcus aureus Virulence Components in a Novel Polymicrobial Defense StrategyWhile some individuals are nasally colonized with S. aureus, the underlying factors that determine colonization are not understood. There is increasing evidence that indicates that resident bacteria play a role; some commensal species can eradicate S. aureus from the nasal cavity. Among these,...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyStaphylococcus aureus Impairs the Function of and Kills Human Dendritic Cells via the LukAB ToxinAntigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DCs) fulfill an indispensable role in the development of adaptive immunity by producing proinflammatory cytokines and presenting microbial antigens to lymphocytes to trigger a faster, specific, and long-lasting immune response. Here, we studied the effect of Staphylococcus aureus toxins on human DCs. We discovered that...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyGain-of-Function Mutations in the Phospholipid Flippase MprF Confer Specific Daptomycin ResistanceEver since daptomycin was introduced to the clinic, daptomycin-resistant isolates have been reported. In most cases, the resistant isolates harbor point mutations in MprF, which produces and flips the positively charged phospholipid LysPG. This has led to the assumption that the resistance mechanism relies on the overproduction of LysPG, given that increased LysPG production may lead to increased electrostatic repulsion of positively...
Commentary | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyPig Movement and Antimicrobial Use Drive Transmission of Livestock-Associated Staphylococcus aureus CC398The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has changed considerably over the last 3 decades, including the recognition of lineages associated with the community and with livestock exposure, in addition to nosocomial strains. A recent study by R.