Staphylococcus aureus Orchestrates Type 2 Airway Diseases

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus persistently colonizes the nostrils of one-third of the population but colonizes the sinus mucosa in up to 90% of patients with nasal polyps, implying a possible role in airway disease. Recent findings give new mechanistic insights into the ability of S. aureus to trigger type 2 inflammatory responses in the upper and lower airways. This novel concept of a S. aureus-driven chronic airway inflammatory disease suggests a new understanding of disease triggers. This article reviews the role of S. aureus in chronic inflammatory airway diseases and discusses possible therapeutic approaches to target S. aureus.

Keywords: IL-33; SplD; allergy; inflammation; proteases; serine protease-like proteins; staphylococcal enterotoxins-specific IgE.