Journal
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
Volume 11, Issue 10, Pages 667-673Publisher
NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro3110
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Funding
- Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, US National Institutes of Health
- German Research Council [SFB685, TRR34]
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Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen and a leading cause of death worldwide. Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) have recently emerged as a novel toxin family defining the virulence potential of highly aggressive S. aureus isolates. PSMs have multiple roles in staphylococcal pathogenesis, causing lysis of red and white blood cells, stimulating inflammatory responses and contributing to biofilm development and the dissemination of biofilm-associated infections. Moreover, the pronounced capacity of PSMs to kill human neutrophils after phagocytosis might explain failures in the development of anti-staphylococcal vaccines. Here, we discuss recent progress made in our understanding of the biochemical and genetic properties of PSMs and their role in S. aureus pathogenesis, and suggest potential avenues to target PSMs for the development of anti-staphylococcal drugs.
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