The role of neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps in Staphylococcus aureus colonization in healthy and inflamed skin

2026/06/01 by Jule Riebelmann, Birgit Schittek · 1 voice
Immunology and Microbiology · Medicine · #Neutrophil, Myeloperoxidase and Oxidative Mechanisms #Dermatology and Skin Diseases #Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus

paper · doi:10.1016/j.jid.2026.04.006

openalex publication_date 2026/06/01 · openalex created_date 2026/06/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/18

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) commonly causes skin infections and is abundant on the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis, where it worsens inflammation and drives skin barrier defects. Neutrophils help to control S aureus infection through their antimicrobial activity and by recruiting other immune cells; however, they can also promote S aureus skin colonization. Excessive neutrophil activity and release of neutrophil extracellular traps may impair the skin barrier and thereby promote colonization. Moreover, S aureus has evolved strategies to evade neutrophil defenses. This review explores neutrophil-skin interactions in healthy and inflamed skin and potential therapeutic strategies targeting these interactions to reduce S aureus colonization in diseases like atopic dermatitis.

Citations

• Prevalence and odds of Staphylococcus aureuscarriage in atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
• Secretory Granule Exocytosis
• Antimicrobial host defence peptides: functions and clinical potential
• Neutrophils in chronic inflammatory diseases
• Neutrophil Elastase Limits Spread of Staphylococcus aureus during Skin Infection
• Antimicrobial peptides: mechanism of action, activity and clinical potential
• Neutrophils at the crossroads of innate and adaptive immunity
• Myeloperoxidase: a front-line defender against phagocytosed microorganisms
• Severe atopic dermatitis is associated with a high burden of environmental Staphylococcus aureus

Discussions

• See Riebelmann et al's Review Article: The role of neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps in Staphylococcus aureus colonization in healthy and inflamed skin doi.org/10.1016/j.ji... #Dermatolog [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]