The role of Staphylococcus aureus quorum sensing in cutaneous and systemic infections

Yuriko Yamazaki; Tomoka Ito; Masakazu Tamai; Seitaro Nakagawa; Yuumi Nakamura

doi:10.1186/s41232-024-00323-8

The role of Staphylococcus aureus quorum sensing in cutaneous and systemic infections

Inflamm Regen. 2024 Mar 1;44(1):9. doi: 10.1186/s41232-024-00323-8.

Authors

Yuriko Yamazaki^{1

2}, Tomoka Ito², Masakazu Tamai², Seitaro Nakagawa², Yuumi Nakamura^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Cutaneous Allergy and Host Defense, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka, University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
² Department of Dermatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
³ Cutaneous Allergy and Host Defense, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka, University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. ymatsuoka@derma.med.osaka-u.ac.jp.
⁴ Department of Dermatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. ymatsuoka@derma.med.osaka-u.ac.jp.

Abstract

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of human bacterial infections worldwide. It is the most common causative agent of skin and soft tissue infections, and can also cause various other infections, including pneumonia, osteomyelitis, as well as life-threatening infections, such as sepsis and infective endocarditis. The pathogen can also asymptomatically colonize human skin, nasal cavity, and the intestine. S. aureus colonizes approximately 20-30% of human nostrils, being an opportunistic pathogen for subsequent infection. Its strong ability to silently spread via human contact makes it difficult to eradicate S. aureus. A major concern with S. aureus is its capacity to develop antibiotic resistance and adapt to diverse environmental conditions. The variability in the accessory gene regulator (Agr) region of the genome contributes to a spectrum of phenotypes within the bacterial population, enhancing the likelihood of survival in different environments. Agr functions as a central quorum sensing (QS) system in S. aureus, allowing bacteria to adjust gene expression in response to population density. Depending on Agr expression, S. aureus secretes various toxins, contributing to virulence in infectious diseases. Paradoxically, expressing Agr may be disadvantageous in certain situations, such as in hospitals, causing S. aureus to generate Agr mutants responsible for infections in healthcare settings.

Main body: This review aims to demonstrate the molecular mechanisms governing the diverse phenotypes of S. aureus, ranging from a harmless colonizer to an organism capable of infecting various human organs. Emphasis will be placed on QS and its role in orchestrating S. aureus behavior across different contexts.

Short conclusion: The pathophysiology of S. aureus infection is substantially influenced by phenotypic changes resulting from factors beyond Agr. Future studies are expected to give the comprehensive understanding of S. aureus overall profile in various settings.

Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus; Accessory gene regulator; Atopic dermatitis; Infectious diseases; Quorum sensing; Skin infection; Systemic infection.

Publication types

Review

Abstract

Publication types

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