Leukocidins and the Nuclease Nuc Prevent Neutrophil-Mediated Killing of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial biofilms are linked with chronic infections and have properties distinct from those of planktonic, single-celled bacteria. The virulence mechanisms associated with Staphylococcus aureus biofilms are becoming better understood. Human neutrophils are critical for the innate immune response to S. aureus infection. Here, we describe two virulence strategies that converge to promote the ability of S. aureus biofilms to evade killing by neutrophils. Specifically, we show that while neutrophils exposed to S. aureus biofilms produce extracellular traps (NETs) and phagocytose bacteria, both mechanisms are inefficient in clearance of the biofilm biomass. This is attributed to the leukocidin LukAB, which promotes S. aureus survival during phagocytosis. We also show that the persistence of b

SUBMITTER: Bhattacharya M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7504955 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature