Androgens at the Skin Surface Regulate S. Aureus Pathogenesis Through the Activation of Agr Quorum Sensing
February 2024
in “
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
”
Studysummary This study found that host androgens like testosterone promote Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis and skin infections by activating the agr quorum sensing system, revealing a mechanism for sex-dependent differences in these infections.
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The study investigates the role of androgens, specifically testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, in promoting Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis and skin infections, which are more prevalent in men. The research reveals that these hormones activate S. aureus virulence through the agr quorum sensing system, enhancing the bacteria's ability to cause infection despite environmental inhibitory signals. This discovery highlights a novel inter-kingdom signaling mechanism between human skin and S. aureus, explaining the sex-dependent differences in infection rates. The findings suggest that the presence of androgens is crucial for the severity of S. aureus skin infections.
