title: Staphylococcus aureus-derived membrane vesicles exacerbate skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Skin colonization or infection with Staphylococcus aureus is known to trigger aggravation of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the exact mechanisms by which S. aureus can worsen AD are unknown.
  
  
  
  We investigated whether and how S. aureus-derived membrane vesicles (MVs) contribute to worsening of AD.
  
  
  
  Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic analyses were performed to detect staphylococcal protein A (SPA) in the epidermis of AD lesions. HaCaT cells were treated with S. aureus MVs and were analysed for the expression of cytokine genes. Immunopathology and cytokine gene profiles were analysed after topical application of S. aureus MVs to AD-like skin lesions in a mouse model.
  
  
  
  The MV component SPA was detected in the keratinocytes as well as in the intercellular space of the epidermis of AD lesions colonized with S. aureus. Intact MVs from S. aureus delivered their components to keratinocytes and stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in vitro. A knock-down of Toll-like receptor 2 or nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 using small interfering RNAs suppressed interleukin-8 gene expression. Topical application of intact S. aureus MVs to AD-like skin lesions in the mouse model induced massive infiltration of inflammatory cells and the resulting eczematous dermatitis. This inflammatory reaction was associated with a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response and enhanced expression of chemokine genes in AD-like skin lesions.
  
  
  
  This study showed the importance of S. aureus MVs as a potent mediator for worsening of AD among many exogenous worsening factors of AD. Thus, S. aureus MVs may be regarded as one of the therapeutic targets for the management of AD aggravation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Life Science, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Life Science, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: T I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Keimyung University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Keimyung University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators
keywords: 
  Staphylococcus aureus
  ; atopic dermatitis; dermatology; innate immunity; membrane vesicle