Serezani, C. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2022

Prostaglandin E2 production is required for phagocyte CXCR2-mediated skin host defense in obese hyperglycemic mice.

Poorly controlled glucose observed in obese individuals with diabetes is associated with a significantly increased risk of infection, particularly in the skin and soft tissues. Staphylococcus aureus is a significant cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in obese and hyperglycemic individuals with growing antibiotic resistance making these infections difficult to treat. However, the events that drive dysregulated skin host defense during hyperglycemia remain to be fully elucidated. Here we examined how the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) threshold impacts tissue injury and host defense during methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) skin infection in obese and hyperglycemic mice. Our data show that obesity and hyperglycemia are accompanied by impaired expression of prostaglandin E synthase 1 and PGE2 production in infected skin. Restoration of PGE2 levels with the PGE analog misoprostol improved infection outcomes in obese and hyperglycemic mice in a manner dependent on E prostanoid 3-mediated cAMP inhibition. Topical misoprostol restored the levels of CXC chemokines and CXCR2+ monocyte and neutrophil recruitment. Here, we are unveiling a defective signaling program that culminates in inadequate CXCR2 phagocyte migration to the infected skin of obese and hyperglycemic mice. Furthermore, these data also lead to a novel drug repurposing opportunity to treat antibiotic-resistant pathogens in hyperglycemic conditions.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

SOCS-1 inhibition of type I interferon limits Staphylococcus aureus skin host defense

The innate immune response to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infection culminates in forming an abscess that prevents the bacterial spread and tissue damage. Pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) dictate the balance between microbial control and tissue damage. Therefore, intracellular brakes are of fundamental importance to tune the appropriate host defense while preventing injury. The intracellular inhibitor suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS-1); is a classic JAK/STAT inhibitor that prevents PRR responses by influencing the expression and actions of PRR adaptors and downstream effectors. Whether SOCS-1 is a molecular component of skin host defense remains to be determined. Here, we hypothesized that SOCS-1 decreases type I interferon production and IFNAR-mediated antimicrobial effector functions of the inflammatory response during MRSA skin infection. Our data show that MRSA skin infection enhances SOCS-1 expression, and both SOCS-1 inhibitor peptide treated and myeloid-specific SOCS-1 deficient mice display decreased lesion size, bacterial loads, and increased abscess thickness when compared to wild-type mice treated or not with scrambled peptide control. SOCS-1 deletion/inhibition increases phagocytosis and bacterial killing, dependent on nitric oxide release. SOCS-1 inhibition also increases antimicrobial effector function correlated with type I and type II interferon levels in vivo. IFNAR deletion and antibody blockage abolished the beneficial effects of SOCS-1 inhibition in vivo. Notably, we unveiled that hyperglycemia triggers aberrant SOCS-1 expression that correlates with decreased overall IFN signatures in the skin. SOCS-1 inhibition restores skin host defense in highly susceptible hyperglycemic mice. Overall, these data demonstrate a role for type I interferons in enhancing microbial clearance and host defense during MRSA skin infection.

immunology↗