The T Cell Response to Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a dangerous pathogen and a leading cause of both nosocomial and community acquired bacterial infection worldwide. However, on the other hand, we are all exposed to this bacterium, often within the first hours of life, and usually manage to establish equilibrium and coexist with it. What does the adaptive immune system contribute toward lifelong control of S. aureus? Will it become possible to raise or enhance protective immune memory by vaccination? While in the past the S. aureus-specific antibody response has dominated this discussion, the research community is now coming to appreciate the role that the cellular arm of adaptive immunity, the T cells, plays. There are numerous T cell subsets, each with differing functions, which together have the ability to orchestrate the immune response to S. aureus and hence to tip the balance between protection and pathology. This review summarizes the state of the art in this dynamic field of research.

Arc/Arg3.1 defines dendritic cells and Langerhans cells with superior migratory ability independent of phenotype and ontogeny in mice

“…However, we found no difference in wound exacerbation between genotypes. This might be due to the previously reported observation, that local bacteria clearance in this model is performed by neutrophils , which are unaltered in the absence of Arc/Arg3.1 . In contrast, we found an unaltered immune response in Arc/Arg3.1 –/– mice after systemic challenge with L. monocytogenes .…”

Knowledge gaps and research priorities inStaphylococcus aureusmastitis control

“…The role of cell‐mediated immunity in MG defence has been overshadowed by the traditional focus on toxin‐neutralizing and opsonizing antibodies, as exemplified by the absence of cell‐mediated adaptive immune response section in a recent comprehensive review (Schukken et al., ). There is currently an increasing interest in the T‐cell response to S. aureus infections (Broker, Mrochen, & Peton, ). Different subpopulations of T cells are likely to contribute to anti‐staphylococcal immune defence.…”

Colonization of medical devices by staphylococci

“…Staphylococcal invasion commonly stimulates a strong inflammatory response, which includes the attraction of neutrophils, macrophages and other immune effectors to the infection site. The immune system is believed to control staphylococcal invasion mainly by its innate arm (Rigby and DeLeo, 2012), while much evidence suggests that the contribution of adaptive immunity is less important and likely limited to T-cell responses (Broker et al, 2016). Notably, S. aureus infections are particularly dangerous and aggressive due to many mechanisms to evade the host's immune response (Foster, 2005), which include many factors that block immune signaling and cytolytic toxins that kill immune cells directly.…”